Prime Minister Sánchez announced that between 5 and 10 per cent of the vaccines Spain receives this year will be made available to Latin America. The donation of at least 7.5 million doses will occur once 50% of Spaniards have been vaccinated.
The Prime Minister announced the donation during the 27th Ibero-American Summit held in Andorra. Spain is donating the vaccines under the COVAX programme. The programme is an initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan-American Health Organisation (OPS). COVAX must ensure a more equal distribution of the available covid vaccines between rich and poor countries.
Patent cancellation of covid vaccines
Sánchez also showed his willingness to contribute to the debate on the lifting of patents on the covid vaccines within the EU and the World Trade Organisation (WTO). According to the Prime Minister, the right to intellectual property should not prevail over the vaccination process.
Fair distribution
After the last Inter-territorial Council, Health Minister Carolina Darias also emphasised Spain’s commitment to Latin America. She also cited the discussion about the lifting of the vaccine patents. In her opinion, this makes the fight against covid-19 fairer.
“The Spanish government feels deeply involved with the Latin American countries in the fight against the corona pandemic. The vaccines must be equally accessible to all countries worldwide, ”said Prime Minister Sánchez. The prime minister’s statement came after a number of government leaders expressed dissatisfaction with the actions of the rich countries in purchasing the vaccines. However, according to Minister Darias, Spain was one of the first to announce that vaccines were made available to COVAX.
In line with the speech of King Felipe VI, who was also present at the conference, the Prime Minister added that the recovery from the economic and social crisis must be “sustainable and inclusive” for all countries and especially the younger generation in it. should not be left behind.
