US to decide soon on countries to benefit from its global vaccine sharing initiative

The United States will decide soon on the countries to benefit from its global vaccine sharing initiative, an embassy spokesperson said.  

The US will share 13% of its vaccines produced for it.

US Embassy spokesperson Nancy Van Horn in an emailed response to a query posed by the Daily Mirror said her country would work with COVAX and other partners to ensure these vaccines are delivered in a menner that is equitable and follows the science and public health data. 

“We do not know as yet that which are the countries would be receiving the vaccines, but a decision will be made soon. We plan to share about 13% of the vaccines produced for the United States by the end of June—the most by any nation, “she said. 

She said President Joe Biden on May 17 reaffirmed his commitment to leading an international and coordinated vaccination effort, announcing that the US will provide 80 million doses of vaccines to meet global need.

“This includes 60 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines previously announced by President Biden and at least an additional 20 million doses of US authorized vaccines by the end of June. The US Food and Drug Administration is
reviewing the AstraZeneca doses for product quality before distribution,” she said.

“The United States will not use its vaccines to secure favours from other countries.  The vaccine doses US is providing to the world don’t come with strings attached.  We are leading the world in global vaccination efforts because it’s the right thing to do; the right thing morally; the right thing from a global public health perspective and the right thing for our collective security and well-being,” she said. (Kelum Bandara)