Bill Gates Warns Of Omicron Variant Threat, Gets Called Out For Blocking Vaccine Production In Other Countries

In a Twitter thread, billionaire Bill Gates said that the world could be entering the worst phase of the pandemic with the Omicron variant. "Omicron is spreading faster than any virus in history. It will soon be in every country in the world," he wrote.

Gates also encouraged people to look after each other and get vaccines or booster shots. "We all have to look out for each other, especially the most vulnerable, whether they live down the street or in another country. That means wearing masks, avoiding big indoor gatherings, and getting vaccinated," he said.

However, many users called out Gates for blocking the access to COVID-19 vaccine patents for countries in Africa and Asia. Indian tech researcher Srinivas Kodali slammed Gates for blocking vaccine access in Africa tweeting, "But won't change views on patents and the need to allow mass production of vaccines across the world, specially in Africa."

India and South Africa had approached the WTO in 2021 calling for patents on COVID-19 vaccines to be waived for the duration of the pandemic. However, Gates along with European countries opposed the plan stating that lifting patents won't make much of a difference.

Gates and the European nations' opposition to the move was called out considering clinical trials for the AstraZeneca, Pfizer and J&J vaccines were done in Africa while Serum Institute of India has manufactured a major chunk of the AZ vaccine.