The US has already given India nearly USD 500 million in Covid-19 support, according to the White House, which added that it would soon make a decision on how the 80 million vaccines will be distributed to other countries.
In a virtual news conference call with members of the White House Foreign Press Group, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, “In a virtual news conference call with members of the White House Foreign Press Group, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, “To date, the United States has provided approximately USD 500 million in Covid relief to India, including contributions from the US federal and state governments, American business and organisations, and private persons.”
She added that the Biden administration is currently seeking to expand that support to other South Asian countries affected by the Covid-19 outbreak. “We’ve sent seven air shipments, including health supplies, oxygen, oxygen supplies, and 95 masks, rapid diagnostic tests and medicine, “ says in a statement.
“In terms of the 80 million doses (of Covid-19 vaccines), we know there’s a great deal of interest in this understandably 60 million of AstraZeneca and 20 million of three other approved vaccines. Right now, it is working through an interagency process,” Psaki said in response to a question.
The interagency panel, which includes National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and State Department representatives, is debating how the US would distribute and share these vaccination doses.
Pskai said, “Certainly, the plight of everything the people of India had been through is obviously on our minds… but there are also a range of countries and regions around the world that have been deeply impacted that are also in need. So, these are all factors. Hopefully, we’ll have more on this in the coming days.”
