The Feminists for a People's Vaccine Campaign
FPV's message to Europe
Following the AU EU Summit and the WTO General Council Meeting, Dr Lesley Ann Foster, director of Masimanyane Women's Rights International, delivered a message to the WTO on behalf of the FPV Campaign.

FPV at the ECOSOC
The Major Groups and Other Stakeholders Coordination Mechanism (MGoSCM) and the FPV Campaign co-sponsored an Informal Spotlight Session during the UN's 2022 ECOSOC Partnership Forum.
+ Watch the recording here

Dig In
The Feminists for a People's Vaccine campaign has launched a new social media series to disseminate scientific research studies on the interlinkages between gender and Covid-19 called Dig In.
Under-reporting of COVID-19 cases among females in many countries, finds study

A study conducted by researchers in economics and health found that COVID-19 cases and deaths among women may be underreported in countries with higher gender discrimination. 
The Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 on Women in India: A New Hope for Recovery Efforts

An extensive large-scale study by Dalberg illustrates how women from low-income households in India were disproportionately impacted by the crisis. 


WAIT! PAUSE.

IS THE PANDEMIC OVER?

Recent discourses have been claiming the pandemic is drawing to a close. 

Better safe than sorry

In a recent survey, almost 90% of experts contacted by Nature Journal think that the coronavirus will become endemic.

Meanwhile, a study published in ACS Infectious Diseases found that coronavirus variants are evolving to have higher infectivity and antibody escape. The cherry on top? It is all but certain the world's population will need a round of second generation vaccinations to overcome new variants.


But the Global North seems to think otherwise...

Europe and the United States appear to be done with Covid-19 as Omicron case numbers subside. Countries are lifting restrictions, despite "a stern warning" from WHO DG Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
+ learn more here & here

Remember! These same countries are doling out booster shots when the entire continent of Africa has still only fully vaccinated 11% of its population.
           Source: People's Vaccine Alliance

Tedros's Visit to South Africa mRNA Hub
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedor Adhanom Ghebreyesus visited the newly established mRNA hub in South Africa on February 11. It was announced that six African countries, five countries in Asia, and Serbia were set to receive technology transfer as part of the hub's activities to expand vaccine manufacturing.

He was accompanied by and received strong support from African and European leaders. The Geneva Health Files cautions the EU's support as a diversionary tactic to divert attention away from the TRIPS Waiver.
 

Pandemic Treaty
 


While initially off to a rocky start, as the FPV campaign has reported, the WHO Pandemic Treaty returned to the agenda in February.

The US has been involved in backdoor conversations and advocating for changes in the International Health Regulations (IHR), POLITICO reported. 

Feeling the competition

German pharmaceutical BioNTech (Pfizer's partner) has tried to undermine the independent development of mRNA technology in Africa promoted by the WHO mRNA Hub, revealed a BMJ investigative article.

BioNTech is looking to persuade governments to support their "BioNTainers" instead – an initiative that doesn't require tech transfer.

EU and Big Pharma Backdoor Dealings? 

On February 4th, leftist MEPs tabled an inquiry into the disappearance and non-disclosure of alleged text messages exchanged between EC President Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizer's CEO Albert Bourla regarding a vaccine purchase deal.

As was reported in the previous FPV newsletter issue, the Commission has refused to make these messages public. 

Another push for the TRIPS Waiver
TWN launched a joint-letter addressed to WTO DG Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala with the support of other 200 national, regional and global organizations that urged the WTO to adopt a comprehensive TRIPS Waiver rather than a narrow version currently being pushed by Global North countries at the General Council meeting in late February, the Geneva Health Files reported.

Ministerial Conference
During the meeting, WTO members have agreed on 13-17 June 2022 as the new date for the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference. The Ministerial will have on its agenda the TRIPS Waiver and Least Developed Country status upgrade.
+ Learn more
 

AU-EU Summit
Leading up to the summit, which took place February 17-18, the European Union held firm on its stance against the TRIPS Waiver of which the African Union is a co-sponsor. However, President Cyril Ramphosa of South Africa refused to budge on demands for a Waiver. 
Sexual Politics in Times of Pandemic – 2021 Retrospective - Sexuality Policy Watch
+ Read further
Revealed: US conservatives spreading anti-vax misinformation to unvaccinated Uganda - openDemocracy
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COVID-19 and a 'Crisis of Care': A Feminist Analysis of Public Policy Responses to Paid and Unpaid Care and Domestic work
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Human Rights in the Context of the Pandemic: Impacts and Responses - Sur Journal Issue 31 
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