In response to the announcement today on the results of the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine trial, Oxfam’s Health policy Manager, Anna Marriott, said:
“This is another breakthrough and while the results from the AstraZeneca/Oxford trial are slightly less promising than those from Pfizer and Moderna, they have pledged to do far more to make sure the vaccine reaches people in poorer countries.
“No one company is equipped to produce enough doses to meet the unprecedented global demand on their own. All pharmaceutical companies should work together for a people’s vaccine by urgently transferring their technology and know-how, in order for everyone in the world to have access to a safe and effective vaccine.
“Only then will we see an end to this horrendous pandemic which has taken over a million lives and caused massive hardship for millions more.”
Oxfam is concerned that neither governments nor the pharmaceutical industry are taking the necessary steps now to ensure that there is maximum supply of a new vaccine to meet with the global need.
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Notes to editors:
AstraZeneca has $1.2 billion for the development and supply of the vaccine from the US government via the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). Additionally, CEPI and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance announced a $750 million agreement with the company to manufacture, procure and distribute the vaccine.
The intellectual property of this vaccine is owned by Oxford University. AstraZeneca/Oxford has agreed to sub-licensing deals in various countries, including India, Brazil and Argentina, which may include technology transfer for manufacturing, although the terms and conditions of such technology transfer are not disclosed.
For additional information, Oxfam’s “A Shot at Recovery” that looks at the commitments made by the leading COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers -- AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Merck and Co., and Pfizer -- on key areas of vaccine access and equity.
Oxfam is part of The Peoples’ Vaccine campaign, which is calling for Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and all vaccine developers to openly share their intellectual property, technology and knowhow to enable the mass production of successful vaccines all over the world.
The call for a People’s Vaccine is backed by past and present world leaders, health experts, faith leaders and economists. For more information visit: https://peoplesvaccine.org