Blinken: "Responding to Variant COVID-19 with Vaccine Patent Waiver... Additional Measures Under Review"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Tony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State, stated that the U.S. government's support for the temporary waiver of COVID-19 vaccine patents is a response to the spread of the virus. He also hinted that additional measures may be possible.

In an interview with MSNBC on the 6th (local time), Secretary Blinken said, "If the virus spreads, variant COVID-19 strains may emerge, and even vaccinated individuals could be at risk of reinfection. We need to stay ahead of the virus, and the whole world must do so."

He added, "Vaccinating Americans was a priority, and significant progress has been made. Now we understand that no one can be completely safe until everyone worldwide is vaccinated."

Katherine Tai, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), announced a day earlier in a statement that the U.S. supports the temporary waiver of COVID-19 vaccine patents and will discuss the matter at the World Trade Organization (WTO) level.

Secretary Blinken evaluated that the U.S. will use all surplus vaccines it holds and that the temporary waiver of vaccine patents is an important means to expand vaccine production.

He also mentioned, "We are considering other options as well," indicating that the U.S. may introduce additional measures to expand vaccine distribution.