Developing Countries Push to Limit Patent Protections for Covid-19 Vaccines
A group of developing countries is currently pushing to limit patent protections for COVID-19 vaccines. The countries are seeking an inexpensive copy of the vaccine to be produced for administration in poorer nations. The group consists of Ghana, Pakistan, Senegal, South Africa, and others and is backed by United Nations
In Global Covid-19 Vaccine Race, Chinese Shot Receives First Foreign Approval
As the international race for a Covid-19 vaccine heats up, nationalism across the globe has been on the rise. Rather than cooperating through international channels to develop a readily available and effective vaccine, most countries are instead focusing on providing access to their population. Accompanying this race to develop a
Australia secures deal for potential Covid-19 vaccine, will provide it free to all citizens
Australi and drugmaker AstraZeneca has entered a deal in which Australi will provide a COVID-19 vaccine free to its entire population should the developing vaccine clear all necessary trials. AstraZeneca is currently working on the vaccine in partnership with Oxford University and has recently entered into the advanced trial period,
Russia Registers World’s First Covid-19 Vaccine Despite Safety Concerns
Russia has registered the world’s first COVID-19 vaccine despite concerns that the medication flew through trial periods and may not be safe to administer. President Vladimir Putin announced the vaccine registration, which marks a huge milestone in the fight against the infectious disease that created a global pandemic. Western countries
Russia claims it’s on track to approve Covid-19 vaccine by mid-August. But speed of process raises questions
According to Russian officials, the country’s scientists are working towards getting a COVID-19 vaccine approved by August 10, less than two weeks away. However, the short timeline has raised significant concerns over safety, effectiveness, and shortcuts taken by the health department in its development. The vaccine was created by the
DOD, HHS Preparing for Large-Scale Manufacturing of COVID-19 Treatments
The Department of Defense and the Department of Health and Human Services have been using another transaction authority contract to ensure that COVID-19 treatments will be able to move throughout stages from prototype to large-scale manufacturing. The two entities have developed a program to make sure such capabilities are feasible
China offers $1 billion loan to Latin America and the Caribbean for access to its Covid-19 vaccine
On Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced that China will loan $1 billion to Latin America and the Caribbean for COVID-19 vaccine access. The Mexican Foreign Affairs Ministry published the information in a statement following a virtual gathering between the leaders of the region. Wang Yi stated that the
U.S. charges two Chinese nationals in coronavirus vaccine hacking scheme, other crimes
Two Chinese nationals have been accused of stealing trade secrets from the US on behalf of the Chinese government. Recently, the Department of Justice filed an 11 count indictment against Li Xiaoyu and Dong Jiazhi for several crimes, including hacking into computer systems of organizations developing a COVID-19 vaccine, stealing
Race for virus vaccine could leave some countries behind
As wealthy countries are racing to find a COVID-19 vaccine, some are placing advance orders for the inevitably limited supply to guarantee vaccines for their citizens, leaving controversy over whether developing countries will have access to the medicine in time. The United Nations, National Red Cross, and Red Crescent stated