Joe Biden has reiterated calls for intellectual property protection waivers on COVID-19 vaccines

President Joe Biden has called for intellectual property (IP) protection waivers on COVID-19 vaccines as concern grows for the Omicron variant. Biden is expected to meet with the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the upcoming week following the discovering of the new variant which prompted the US to place travel restrictions on several countries.

U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday called on nations meeting at the World Trade Organization next week to agree to waive intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines in the wake of the discovery of a new coronavirus variant in South Africa.

The US will restrict travel from South Africa and seven other countries in response to the newly identified Omicron variant of coronavirus.

What people are saying?

President Biden The @WHO has identified a new COVID variant which is spreading through Southern Africa. As a precautionary measure until we have more information, I am ordering air travel restrictions from South Africa and seven other countries.

Heidi Schonfeldt I am beyond devastated as I’ve been waiting for two years to see my mother since 2019. Her flight was due to leave SA on the 2nd of Dec and she was going to be here in America for Christmas. That’s all been taken away now!!!!! She’s fully vaccinated so why can she not travel here.