Calls increase for Germany to support vaccine IP waivers

Washington, July 14 (RHC)-- German Chancellor Angela Merkel is visiting the White House this week and ahead of her visit, a group of Democratic lawmakers have requested a meeting with her. 

The are calling on Germany to drop its “blockade” of a WTO waiver on intellectual property rights around COVID vaccines.  Protesters held actions across the country urging Merkel to back the waiver.

In other COVID news, Tennessee’s top vaccine official, Dr. Michelle Fiscus, says she was fired after telling health providers that teens do not require parental consent to receive a COVID vaccine.  The move, which is supported by state law and decades of medical practice, angered anti-science Republican lawmakers, who have also halted outreach efforts on the vaccine for teens and children.

Elsewhere, Russia recorded 780 fatalities Tuesday, its highest daily COVID death toll yet as the Delta variant rapidly spreads.   And meanwhile, in Iraq, the death toll from a massive blaze at a coronavirus hospital ward has risen to 92.

Coronavirus, immigrant rights, immigration, vaccination