Holy See reiterates call for universal access to Covid-19 vaccines

By Lisa Zengarini

The Holy See has again renewed its call for universal accessibility to Covid-19 vaccines, noting that “barriers impeding the equitable access to, and distribution of vaccines, medicines and health-related technologies are deeply connected to the effects of intellectual property rights (IPRs)”.

Pursuing the common good

In a statement released on Wednesday, at the 49th Session of the Human Rights Council on the consequences of the inequitable access to Covid-19 vaccines, the Vatican Permanent Mission to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva reiterated that,  the Holy See acknowledges  the contribution of IPRs in the promotion of technological innovation and development,. However, it stressed that “such rights should encourage and facilitate above all the pursuit of the common good, in a manner conducive to social and economic welfare". 

Healthcare for all is a moral obligation

The statement recalled that, as repeated recently by Pope Francis, the provision of health care for all is a “moral obligation” and therefore can “never be subjugated to private interests”. “On the contrary – the Vatican Mission said -  policies and laws should focus on solidarity and the promotion of human dignity while promoting efficient coordination within and among nations. This implies, inter alia, the sharing of research, knowledge and supplies, also with a view to promoting integral human development globally”, the statement said.

The Holy See’s Mission, therefore, called for a temporary suspension of intellectual property rights so as to ensure universal and equitable access to vaccines globally.