Oxfam reaction to G7 leaders agreeing a 'Carbis Bay Declaration' to end future pandemics faster

Responding to early reports of G7 leaders agreeing a 'Carbis Bay Declaration' to end future pandemics faster, Oxfam's Health Policy Manager Anna Marriott said: 

"It's welcome that G7 leaders are planning measures to end future pandemics faster, but the lack of urgent action to end the current crisis is unforgiveable. 

"As infection rates soar across many African countries, they still believe that belated donations of vaccines will save the day. This declaration does nothing to address the fundamental problems that are preventing vaccines being accessible to the vast majority of humanity.  

"Pharmaceutical monopolies and the resulting scarcity of vaccines seem unlikely to get a mention in the declaration. Even if we could develop and approve new vaccines in weeks, billions will wait years before they can actually get vaccinated.

"To truly prepare against the next pandemic, we need a publicly funded and managed network of vaccine manufacturers around the world, free from the constraints of intellectual property."