COVID-19 Pandemic

29 September 2021: As the COVID pandemic continues to devastate low-income countries, 206 major civil society groups have called on the World Trade Organization (WTO) to change WTO rules for monopolies on vaccines that result in “vaccine apartheid”, and to work towards “a new vision of multilateralism which will result in ecological stability and shared prosperity”. The WTO is preparing for a Ministerial meeting in November.

September 27, 2021: Trade justice and public health activists expressed disappointment at the outcomes of last week’s Biden Vaccine Summit held on September 22 and the Quad meeting of the US, India, Japan and Australia held on September 24.

Media Release                                                                            September 22, 2021

National public health, church, union, human rights, aid and development and environment organisations today called on the Prime Minister to support the proposal to waive WTO rules for vaccine monopolies in global talks this week, and show its support by becoming a formal sponsor.

September 16, 2021: The People’s Vaccine Alliance* has lashed Moderna, BioNTech and Pfizer for cashing in thanks to taxpayer investments, monopolies, and low taxes, while leaving millions unprotected, on the eve of major global meetings on the COVID-19 pandemic.

September 15, 2021: MSF organsied this information forum on the temporary waiver on monopolies for COVID-19 products, featuring

September 14, 2021: After months of holding out, Australia has at last joined other members of the World Trade Organisation in backing a waiver of patents and other intellectual property rights on vaccines, treatments, diagnostic tests and devices needed to fight COVID-19.

Latrobe University Associate Professor in Public Health, Dr Deborah Gleeson, explains why Australia should now take action in  The Conversation today.

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                  

14 September 2021

September 10, 2021: More than 50,000 Australians signed petitions demanding the Australian Government put people before profits and support a temporary waiver on World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules that give pharmaceutical companies 20-year monopolies for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.

And we won! Thanks to our collective efforts, Minister Tehan said last week he supports the waiver!. But now we need to make sure he delivers on that promise in WTO meetings that begin this week. You can send a message to the Trade Minister here.

September 9, 2021: After months of campaigning a coalition of national civil society organisations were invited to meet with Trade Minister Dan Tehan on September 7 and presented him with evidence that under World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules a few companies have a 20-year monopoly on COVID-19 vaccines and treatments and low-income countries will not get widespread access for several years.