Intellectual Property, COVID-19 Vaccines and Equity: A Public Health and Human Rights Critique

The debates surrounding Intellectual Property (IP) have opened a front in the geopolitical struggle for COVID-19 vaccine access and distribution. Specific to manufacture, one route by which local production can be encouraged low- middle-income countries would ease IP restrictions such mechanisms as temporary waiver under TRIPS [Trade-Related Aspects of Rights] agreement. High-income states resisted measure, arguing that vaccines should remain place. Their preference is provide poorer states, notably through COVAX allocation plan, or bilateral initiatives where excess are distributed once supply needs met. It argued here retaining constitutes an international public health risk potential breach human rights context law.