(MARK MAKELA / GETTY IMAGES)
President Joe Biden has unveiled a new plan to ship 25 million COVID-19 vaccines overseas. Eighteen million COVID-19 vaccine doses will be allocated using the global vaccine aid program, COVAX. Of those eighteen million vaccines, six million will go to countries in the Caribbean, seven million will be sent to countries in Asia and five million will benefit countries on the continent of Africa. The remainder of the vaccines will be sent directly to a list of handpicked countries. However, the Biden administration has not yet shared the names of the countries that it plans to donate additional vaccines to.
“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 stated.
The decision to send 25 million COVID-19 vaccines overseas comes just a few days after Biden rolled out a new initiative to get 70% of American adults vaccinated by July 4. In ordered to get this done, Biden hopes to incentivize Americans with the opportunity to get free childcare or win free sports tickets if they are vaccinated by July 4.
“You do need to get vaccinated,” Biden tells Americans.
“Even if your chance of getting seriously ill is low, why take the risk? It could save your life or the lives of somebody you love.”
