Oxfam reaction to AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine trial announcement

“This is another breakthrough and while the results from the AstraZeneca/Oxford trial are slightly less promising than those from Pfizer and Moderna, they have pledged to do far more to make sure the vaccine reaches people in poorer countries.

“No one company is equipped to produce enough doses to meet the unprecedented global demand on their own. All pharmaceutical companies should work together for a people’s vaccine by urgently transferring their technology and know-how, in order for everyone in the world to have access to a safe and effective vaccine.

“Only then will we see an end to this horrendous pandemic which has taken over a million lives and caused massive hardship for millions more.”

Oxfam is concerned that neither governments nor the pharmaceutical industry are taking the necessary steps now to ensure that there is maximum supply of a new vaccine to meet with the global need.

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Notes to editors:
A recent paper from Oxfam America comparing the five leading vaccine contenders found AstraZeneca/Oxford’s vaccine to be most accessible – available at the lowest pandemic price and with the fairest distribution to low and middle-income countries. In comparison to the Pfizer & Moderna vaccines – where the majority of allocated doses have been bought by rich countries – Lower & Middle Income Countries would make up 74 percent of AstraZeneca/Oxford’s allocated doses.

Oxfam is part of The Peoples’ Vaccine Alliance, a coalition of over 20 global and national organizations and activists united under a common aim of campaigning for a ‘people’s vaccine. The call for a People’s Vaccine is backed by past and present world leaders, health experts, faith leaders and economists. For more information visit: https://peoplesvaccine.org