On Monday, the White House outlined a plan to deliver 55 million COVID-19 vaccine doses worldwide, including about 14 million doses to "priority areas" such as the West Bank, Gaza, Iraq, Colombia, Argentina, and Ukraine. Approximately 75 percent of these vaccines will be allocated to Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia, and Africa through the global vaccine distribution program (COVAX). This plan fulfills President Joe Biden's pledge to share 80 million U.S.-made vaccine doses globally. Biden had identified his priorities for the recipients of the first 25 million doses this month to achieve this goal. The White House stated, "As we continue fighting the COVID-19 pandemic at home and work to end the pandemic around the world, President Biden pledged that the United States would be a vaccine arsenal for the world."
According to the White House, 41 million doses will be provided through COVAX, with nearly 14 million doses destined for Latin America and the Caribbean, about 16 million doses for Asia, and nearly 10 million for Africa. The remaining 25 percent will be allocated based on "priority areas" including Colombia, Argentina, Iraq, Ukraine, the West Bank, and Gaza. The White House remarked, "For all of these doses, priority must be given to those at risk, such as healthcare workers, based on national vaccination plans." As more Americans have received vaccines, the Biden administration has increasingly focused on sending vaccines abroad.
