CANADA'S INVESTMENT OF $173M FOR THE COVID19 VACCINE COVIFENZ...is In JEOPARDY... Because Of It's TIES With THE BIG TOBACCO.

By Chandrayee Roy Choudhury, Canada: Canada should have known the World Health Organization likely wouldn't accept Medicago's COVID-19 vaccine over its close ties with tobacco giant Philip Morris — before deciding to invest millions of dollars of taxpayer money in the company.



The WHO told CBC News on March 25 the biopharmaceutical firm's request for emergency use authorization of its Covifenz vaccine had "not been accepted" due to the company's "linkage with the tobacco industry" and was now "on hold."



Marlboro cigarette manufacturer Philip Morris International owns 21 per cent of Medicago shares and the WHO reiterated it has long had a "strict policy" on "not engaging with companies that promote tobacco" and that Medicago had been informed of the decision.

That leaves Medicago's vaccine in limbo, after the federal government gave the company $173 million in 2020 to develop the vaccine, build a new production facility and purchase 20 million doses with an option for 56 million more. 



Canada has approved the vaccine and is expected to distribute it next month, but it's the only country so far and use of the shot worldwide would be severely hampered without WHO approval.