Biden "May Provide COVID Vaccine Technology"... White House Considering Patent Waiver (Comprehensive)

Biden "Will Share Know-How with Needed Countries"
US Government Signals Change in Vaccine Policy
Saki, White House Spokesperson, "Considering Vaccine Production Expansion and Patent Suspension"
US Pharmaceutical Companies Oppose Patent Suspension

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. President Joe Biden said he is pushing to supply finished COVID-19 vaccines to overseas countries including India, and that if additional vaccines are allowed, vaccine-related technology will be provided to countries in need. The White House also announced that it is pursuing a plan to temporarily waive patent rights on vaccines.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

On the 27th (local time), President Biden made these remarks in response to a question about providing COVID-19 vaccines to India at the White House.

President Biden referred to his phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi the previous day, saying that they discussed when vaccines could be sent to India, and explained that it is his intention to do so. The Biden administration had announced the day before that it plans to support other countries with 60 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

President Biden added that they need to watch for new vaccines such as Novavax, stating, "Not only can we share vaccines, but we can also transfer the technology (know-how) to countries that need it."

President Biden’s mention of technology is particularly noteworthy, as it can be interpreted to mean that the U.S. may provide vaccine technology overseas.

The World Trade Organization (WTO), intellectuals in the U.S., and progressive politicians have been advocating for the U.S. to temporarily suspend COVID-19 vaccine patents to support vaccine supply in underdeveloped countries.

The day before, the White House disclosed that Katherine Tai, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), met with CEOs of Pfizer and AstraZeneca to discuss sharing vaccine patents. The U.S. pharmaceutical industry is opposing the temporary suspension of vaccine patents, saying it is unacceptable.

Following President Biden’s remarks, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said at a regular briefing, "We are considering ways to maximize vaccine production and supply worldwide at the lowest possible cost, including patent waivers, but no decision has been made."

Press Secretary Psaki explained, "There are various methods, and right now, that (patent waiver) is part of the options, but we need to evaluate what is most appropriate." He also said they are reviewing whether expanding vaccine production within the U.S. would be more effective.

This is interpreted as the U.S. reviewing policies on whether to suspend patent rights on COVID-19 vaccines led by the U.S. to share them with developing countries to combat the pandemic, or to increase vaccine production domestically and share it with other countries.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.