Officials and health experts pointed to tens of millions of euros Sanofi has received in research credits from the French state. NGOs accused Sanofi of trying to blackmail France and fuelling a race among major powers for an immunizing shot at the expense of poorer nations. Some 140 former and current world leaders and health experts called in an open letter Thursday for any vaccine to be made available "for all people, in all countries, free of charge". It is one of dozens of vaccine searches underway to combat the Covid-19 outbreak that originated in China last December. US President Donald Trump tweeted on Thursday: "Vaccine work is looking VERY promising, before end of year," a prediction that few health experts consider likely to be realized.

Source: Dhaka Tribune May 15, 2020 03:33 UTC