It's sickening that new vaccine isn't free for all

Unfortunately, the cost "could prevent its being made swiftly available through the national vaccination programme," according to a recent newspaper article.

One wonders how much profit the shareholders of manufacturers Novartis will be demanding to save so many lives?

How much will the government be prepared to pay?

If we can afford billions to upgrade the strategically useless Trident weapons system, which won't save a single life, we should be able to afford Novartis's blood money.

There's no problem for the rich, however, as the vaccine will be available to buy privately as soon as it's launched.

There is something very, very wrong about a society which collectively educates scientists to develop such wonderful products, which are then immediately available only to a rich minority.

John Marais

Cambridge