![BERLIN, GERMANY - MAY 27: German Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) attends a press conference after talks on the country s coronavirus (COVID-19) strategy as the pandemic continues, in the German Federal Chancellery on May 27, 2021 in Berlin, Germany. Representatives of the countrys federal and state governments, or Laender, held talks to discuss Germany s vaccination strategy and lockdown measures, among other current topics related to dealing with the virus. (Photo by Adam Berry - Pool/Getty Images)](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7MYDB3O3IJRU5ORA4GTHY35OAU.jpg?smart=true&auth=f71950461207fb34bcb8539f1a31faebfbb35a60760d69d176b4a63d449272a1&width=400&height=225)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke out against the proposal to lift vaccine patents. Getty Images
German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke out against the proposal to lift vaccine patents. Getty Images
Germany's Angela Merkel says scrapping vaccine patents will not affect global shortage
Rich countries face pressure to address imbalance in vaccine supply