Congressional Progressive Caucus Calls For Germany To Stop Blocking Global Vaccine Access

As Chancellor Angela Merkel makes her first visit to the United States during the Biden administration, Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) issued the following statement:

"Chancellor Merkel arrives in Washington as the Delta variant is surging around the world and wealthier countries have administered 80 percent of vaccine doses, while low-income countries have been left with just 0.4 percent of them. We hope that when President Biden meets with her today, he will press the Chancellor on why Germany is standing in the way of more than 130 nations accessing COVID-19 vaccines through an emergency waiver from the World Trade Organization (TRIPS).

"Our Caucus has prioritized global vaccine equity since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, and along with Speaker Pelosi, supported the Biden administration's efforts to ensure quick and equitable global vaccine production and treatment access. But as long as Germany withholds its approval of the TRIPS waiver, it threatens the lives of millions of people around the world and our ability to crush the virus.

"The pandemic isn't over until it's over everywhere. After watching my family in India fight to survive the latest surge there, I feel personally how vital it is that the U.S. must do everything we can to ensure that no one else has to suffer from an artificial vaccine shortage in the fight against this virus -- both in pushing to ensure the TRIPS waiver is implemented, and by investing $35 billion into America's production of vaccines that can quickly assist countries around the world in getting vaccinated.

"President Biden has been clear and strategic in rebuilding America's relationships with world leaders, and once again ensuring that the United States re-establishes our leadership on the world stage. We hope that during this visit, the President will apply his diplomatic and leadership skills to ensuring Germany supports the TRIPS waiver so that we can all engage in the lifesaving work of fighting this global pandemic."