Biden announces plan to share millions of Covid-19 vaccine doses with countries around world
Washington DC – The Biden administration announced on Thursday that it will donate at least 25 million unused Covid-19 vaccines to countries around the world.
"We are sharing these doses not to secure favors or extract concessions. We are sharing these vaccines to save lives and to lead the world in bringing an end to the pandemic, with the power of our example and with our values," Biden explained in a statement.
At least 75% of the donated doses will go to the UN-backed Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) program, CNN reported.
Around six million of the first round of doses will be sent to South and Central America, while seven million will be sent to countries in Asia. Another five million will be sent to Africa to countries determined in coordination with the African Union.
Another six million will be dedicated to UN frontline workers in various countries around the world.
Biden still aiming for 70% vaccination rate by July 4
"Strong American leadership is essential to ending this pandemic now, and to strengthening global health security for tomorrow – to better prevent, detect, and respond to the next threat," Biden said.
"The United States will be the world's arsenal of vaccines in our shared fight against this virus. In the days to come, as we draw on the experience of distributing the vaccine doses announced today, we will have more details to provide about how future doses will be shared. And we will continue to do all we can to build a world that is safer and more secure against the threat of infectious disease," his statement continued.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki claimed the US would be giving more than five times as many vaccines to other countries as any other nation.
Biden assured Americans that there should be enough vaccines to immunize every US adult by the end of the month, and he aims to have 70% of the adult population vaccinated by July 4.
Cover photo: Collage: IMAGO / UPI Photo & 123RF/Pedro Antonio SalaverrÃa Calahorra