COMMENT | Just before the World Health Assembly (WHA), a May 18 open letter by world leaders and experts urged governments to ensure that all Covid-19 vaccines, treatments and tests are patent-free, fairly distributed and available to all, free of charge.

Pious promises

Leaders of Italy, France, Germany, Norway and the European Commission called for the vaccine to be “produced by the world, for the whole world” as a “global public good of the 21st century”, while China’s President Xi promised a vaccine developed by China would be a “global public good”.

The United Nations Secretary-General also insisted on access to all when available. The WHA unanimously agreed that vaccines, treatments and tests are global public goods, but was vague on the implications.

As Covid vaccines have become available, nearly 70 poor countries are left out. Many more people will be infected and may die without vaccinations, warns the People’s Vaccine Alliance, advocating equitable and low-cost access...