EU members split on vaccine waiver idea

Some EU officials argue that the waiving process could take two years. Picture: Cagla Gurdogan

European Union leaders are divided over whether to follow the US in supporting a waiver of patent rights to Covid-19 vaccines, as many argue this would take years and not address the immediate issue of making more shots to end the pandemic.

Leaders of the 27-nation bloc will discuss the patent waiver idea at a two-day summit that began in the Portuguese city of Porto yesterday but are unlikely to formulate a strong united position apart from a general readiness to discuss the topic.