Corona: Merkel demands vaccine - but flashes mercilessly in the pharmaceutical industry

People around the world are excited about the vaccine against the coronavirus. The politicians follow the fairest possible route in the distribution - but it is probably blocked.

• The fight against the corona crisis * was a national affair worldwide.
• In contrast, all countries should cooperate in the distribution of the vaccine - politicians are already talking about a public good.
• But the pharmaceutical industry sees it differently - it faces a completely different obstacle.
• Here you will find the basic facts about the corona virus * and the corona news from Germany. You can also find current case numbers in Germany here as a map *. The following recommendations for corona protective measures * are currently available.
  

Munich - The corona crisis has brought with it many unpleasant side effects. Suddenly, millions of citizens were only allowed to leave their property for compelling reasons ; meetings with friends or acquaintances were prohibited nationwide *. In addition, there was the unusual distance from other, self-loved fellow human beings, which will probably shape our daily life for months to come . Not to mention the now ubiquitous face mask *.

Equally unusual in the fight against the spread of the pandemic was also: It was largely a national matter , each country basically on its own. With very few exceptions - such as the treatment of Covid 19 emergencies from Italy or Spain in German clinics - there was no cooperation between them. Simply out of self-protection. Otherwise, the risk would have increased that the new corona virus would spread even faster across the globe and bring many health systems to their knees.

Coronavirus vaccine: Politicians want to make vaccine available to everyone in the same way

So it was also unavoidable that many a nation was particularly shaken by the crisis. Other countries, in turn, maneuvered themselves through the immense shoals with ease. However, according to political will, this discrepancy should be a thing of the past when the market finally hits what most of humanity craves: the vaccine * , which makes us immune to the virus and its consequences.

The EU Commission has therefore already suggested that there should be no differences between countries when it comes to access to the active substance . This should be "just and general", Brussels sees "solidarity and close cooperation" as the most effective and safest answer to Covid-19 . The panel chaired by President Ursula von der Leyen concluded that the vaccine had to be declared a public good worldwide . So always be accessible to everyone.

Coronavirus vaccine: Merkel refers to "unprecedented global cooperation"

Angela Merkel , who spoke in the FAZ of "unprecedented global cooperation between scientists and regulators, industry and governments, international organizations, foundations and representatives of the health care system" also pursues this goal . In a video podcast, the Chancellor highlighted the question "How can we develop vaccines , provide medication and provide good diagnostic options for everyone around the world ".

However, Merkel and Co. apparently did the calculation without the pharmaceutical industry . Vaccine developers have been criticized for the political statements. "It must remain that the companies remain owners of their developments , after all they have invested millions in them," quotes the "RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland" the president of the Association of Researching Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, Han Steutel.

Slowed down by the pharmaceutical industry: Chancellor Angela Merkel would like to have the vaccine declared a public good.

© AFP / KAY NIETFELD

Coronavirus vaccine: capacities are only sufficient for a fifth of the world's population

However, the Dutchman assured that the vaccine would be available at an affordable price : “Some large pharmaceutical companies have already given assurances that they will be able to supply a vaccine at cost price . Not everyone did that, but the direction is given. ”The industry is not expecting large profits from the vaccine.

At the same time, Steutel appealed to politicians. Instead of government funding for research into the vaccine, investment aid is needed to expand its production . Because it cannot be assumed that the demand will be met quickly. According to the current status, 1.5 billion cans could be produced worldwide every year - which corresponds to just under a fifth of the world's population. "Here, public aid and investment grants are necessary in order to massively expand production capacities very quickly," says Steutel.

So that no head of state * thinks of having to push for pole position when distributing the vaccine.

Like you keep up to date on developments in the USA and around the world in our news tickers. Meanwhile, a new finding would lead the distance rule to absurdity.

* merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.

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List of rubric lists: © dpa / Sebastian Gollnow