The End the Pandemic Now resolution (H. Con. Res. 60) lays out a clear roadmap for increasing global production of COVID vaccines, test kits and medicines.
To stop the rise of COVID variants like Omicron and Delta, and finally put an end to the pandemic, pharmaceutical monopolies must no longer be allowed to artificially restrict the availability of vaccines and treatments around the world.
The End the Pandemic Now resolution (H. Con. Res. 60) lays out a clear roadmap for increasing global production of COVID vaccines, test kits and medicines.
Public health experts have been warning since the start of the pandemic that Americans will not be safe from new COVID variants until vaccines, diagnostic tools and treatments are readily available throughout the world. Yet, roughly two years into the crisis, less than 8% of people in low-income nations have had at least one shot.
With more-and-more of existing vaccine production now going to supply booster shots — and, in the near future, possibly even new vaccine formulas to address the Omicron variant — the world continues to desperately need a serious ramp up of global vaccine, test kit and treatment production so that low- and middle-income nations have the supplies they need.
During this September’s United Nations General Assembly, President Biden led other heads of state in committing to vaccinate 70% of the world’s population by the fall of 2022. The End the Pandemic Now resolution provides a concrete plan for meeting that goal.
Originally cosponsored by Reps. Jan Schakowsky (IL-9), Earl Blumenauer (OR-3), Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (IL-4), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Sara Jacobs (CA-53), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-8), Mark Pocan (WI-2) and Ayanna Pressley (MA-7), the End the Pandemic Now resolution continues to gain more support each week.
Only decisive leadership on the part of the government can prevent the United States and the world from facing an endless cycle of new COVID variants and can eliminate the ongoing health, economic and social suffering that the lingering pandemic is causing.