The United States said on Wednesday that it backs waiving patent and other intellectual property protections for Covid-19 vaccines to help expand production of the life-saving shots worldwide.
The decision is a partial victory for progressive Democrats who have pushed President Joe Biden to endorse India and South Africa’s call for a broad waiver of all intellectual property protections for Covid-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.
The U.S. has to engage in detailed negotiations at the World Trade Organization on the scope of the waiver, whose members have to unanimously agree to such a change. But the shift in the U.S.’ position will likely be seen as a major step to help global efforts to fight the pandemic.
