Joint letter to PM about Canada’s role in global vaccine equity
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KAIROS has joined 25 churches, faith, interfaith, ecumenical organizations and others, all participants in the Love My Neighbour project, in sending a letter to the Prime Minister regarding Canada’s important role in increasing the number of COVID-19 vaccines distributed quickly and equitably in lower income countries.
Love My Neighbour is a project that brings together Canadians of diverse faiths from across the country for vaccine equity.
Among other measures the letter calls on Canada to support a temporary waiver on COVID vaccine intellectual property rights at the World Trade Organization. This comes at a time when US President Joe Biden and the Pope Francis have announced their support for such a waiver, along with about 100 other countries. The letter also requests a meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss how we can work together to achieve the goals outlined in this letter.
Excerpt from the letter:
Canada has currently purchased enough vaccines to vaccinate Canada’s population many times over. Vaccine inequality will only prolong the global pandemic.
- We urge the creation and rapid implementation of a re-distribution and donation plan of Canada’s purchased and committed vaccine doses, including doses purchased from COVAX, to COVAX.
- Following the example of countries like Norway, we urge an immediate minimum 5% donation of Canada’s vaccines to COVAX. The global response to the COVID-19 pandemic must be timely and equitable if it is to be successful.
- We also encourage Canadian support for the temporary Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) waiver, presented to the World Trade Organization.
- This waiver will ensure that trade regulations and licensing do not impede the timely manufacture, distribution, and affordability of vaccines.
- Canada has maintained that it has not rejected this proposal, and it is studying the impacts of intellectual property regulations on vaccine manufacturing.
- While we affirm the importance of careful deliberation, we also urge a rapid response.
- Without the TRIPS waiver, many low- and middle-income countries may not have access to anywhere near sufficient vaccines before 2023, to say nothing of testing or medications for supportive care.
- We also encourage Canada to continue to support global health systems strengthening through an increased Official Development Assistance budget.
- With funding specially designated for community-based health organizations, including those run by women.
Canada can lead the way in ensuring fair access, distribution and administration of the vaccine around the world.
Twitter: @MKs4SDGs, #LoveMyNeighbourProject #GiftaVax