Covid-19 Vaccine Access 2021-01-19
2021-01-19
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
Discusses the UK's role in supporting global vaccine development and distribution.
What diplomatic steps are being taken to support the development and distribution of covid-19 vaccines both in the UK and globally?
The UK is committed to rapid equitable access through multilateral collaboration. We are combining our diplomatic influencing, development expertise, and financial contributions. The UK has committed £548 million to the COVAX AMC, which aims for global equitable access.
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Q2
Partial Answer
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Criticizes hoarding of vaccines by richer nations as morally unacceptable.
The world is on the brink of a moral failure due to lack of collaborative global approach. Does the Minister agree that hoarding vaccines by richer nations is unforgivable and unconscionable, and that we must work collectively for the betterment of all humanity?
The hon. Gentleman makes a really important point. The UK is at the forefront of multilateral efforts to ensure equitable global access through the COVAX facility, contributing to the supply of 1 billion doses in 2021 and the vaccination of 500 million people.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific agreement on hoarding vaccines as morally unacceptable
Working Collectively For Betterment
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Q3
Partial Answer
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Highlights the stark disparity in vaccine distribution between wealthy and poor countries.
Vaccine doses administered in 49 higher income countries versus just 25 in a poorer country. Does the Minister agree that global equality on vaccine roll-out should be both moral and strategic to stop virus spread? If so, why do her Government not support waiving IP rights?
When it comes to vaccines, we have been very clear that we support equitable access through the COVAX facility. A robust and fair IP system is key to innovation and benefits society. Non-exclusive voluntary licensing has advantages over compulsory licensing for long-term beneficial relationships.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific agreement on waiving intellectual property rights
Supporting Equitable Access Through Covax
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Highlights the need for overcoming intellectual property rights to enable local manufacture of vaccines in developing countries.
None of us is safe until all are. With virus threat, we are at risk till world vaccinated. Will Minister say what work her Government have done on overcoming IP rights for vaccine manufacture in global south?
A robust and fair intellectual property system is key to innovation and benefits society. Non-exclusive voluntary licensing has advantages over compulsory licensing for long-term beneficial relationships and incentives to create new inventions such as life-changing vaccines.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific details on work done to overcome IP rights
Robust Ip System
Response accuracy
Q5
Direct Answer
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Asks about specific steps taken by the Department to ensure poorest and most disadvantaged countries have access to vaccines.
What steps is her Department taking to ensure that the poorest and most disadvantaged countries have access to vaccines?
Our commitment will support access to covid-19 vaccines for up to 92 developing countries through the COVAX AMC facility, contributing to the supply of 1 billion doses in 2021. The UK has committed £548 million to that facility and encouraged others to step up.
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Q6
Direct Answer
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Concerns about meeting international commitments on vaccination if aid levels reduced from 0.7% of GDP.
Is she confident that we will be able to continue to meet our international commitments on vaccination if we reduce our levels of aid from 0.7% of GDP?
We are a world-leading aid donor, spending 0.5% percent of GNI. The UK committed £1.65 billion over the next five years to support Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which will immunise 300 million children and save up to 8 million lives.
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Q7
Partial Answer
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The question arises from the concern that vaccine nationalism is harmful and the global community needs multilateral cooperation. There is a $4.3 billion shortfall in funding for COVAX, which aims to ensure equitable access to vaccines.
I echo concerns about vaccine nationalism being dangerous and self-defeating. The UK has donated to COVAX but there's a $4.3 billion dollar shortfall. Nobody is safe until everyone is. What plans are there to convene a Gavi II summit for international donors to work together on equitable access? Will the government condemn those indulging in vaccine nationalism?
The UK Government is committed to equitable global access through multilateral efforts. We contributed to CEPI, FIND, Gavi, and the COVAX AMC early in the pandemic. These contributions help the world's poorest. We also flexed normal aid work to support countries suffering from secondary impacts of the pandemic.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific plans for a Gavi II summit and condemnation of vaccine nationalism were not addressed.
I Commend The Work On Vaccination
We Are Committed To Equitable Access
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The question is raised due to concerns over transparency and accountability from the Government. The World Health Organisation has requested all bilateral contracts for covid-19 vaccines be made public.
We have an opportunity to save lives and livelihoods by cooperating with other countries. However, the Government's lack of transparency undermines this effort. Will the UK fulfil the WHO's request from yesterday to make public all bilateral contracts on volumes, pricing, delivery dates for covid-19 vaccines?
We are at the forefront of multilateral efforts on equitable global access. We contributed to CEPI early in the pandemic and to FIND, Gavi, and the COVAX AMC. This is about helping the world's poorest. We also flexed normal aid work to support countries suffering from secondary impacts.
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Assessment & feedback
Publication of contracts was not addressed specifically.
I Do Not Accept Assertions On Transparency
We Are At Forefront Of Multilateral Efforts
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Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
The International Development Committee has highlighted secondary impacts on developing countries such as economic suffering and gender inequality. The FCDO needs to prepare for recovery efforts.
Vaccines alone are not enough; there's significant economic damage due to healthcare issues and gender inequality in developing nations post-pandemic. What preparations is the FCDO making to prevent a development mountain after the pandemic?
We remain at the forefront on covid-19 with FCDO supporting the world's poorest. We continue support through funds and focus on the bottom billion. Working with development, public sector, private sector; example: £84 million invested in Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific preparations were not detailed.
We Continue To Support The World'S Poorest
Working With Development, Public And Private Sectors
Response accuracy