Biden's next challenge: Vaccine diplomacy

[DonViejo]

5 hours ago - World

Dave Lawler, author of World

The U.S. accounts for 27% of the world’s coronavirus vaccine production, but 0% of the global supply beyond its own borders. Critics and allies alike say it’s time for that to change.

Why it matters: China has gotten a head start on vaccine diplomacy, sending millions of doses all over the globe, including to Latin America. Experts say it’s in America’s interests to compete in the race to vaccinate the world, and the calls to start doing so are getting louder.

Driving the news: The Biden administration took a tentative first step last week, offering around 4 million total doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine — which isn’t authorized for use in the U.S. — to Mexico and Canada.

The administration has also pledged $4 billion to the global COVAX initiative and more still to help increase supplies to Asia. But it’s holding tight to virtually every dose produced in the U.S.

more
https://www.axios.com/us-coronavirus-vaccine-diplomacy-china-exports-4a5c7bbd-32fb-468a-add5-9b1689bf5ce3.html

[Lucky Luciano]

1. We are the center of the crisis, so it makes sense to be a little stingy for now.

China has very few cases, so they can afford to distribute the vaccine outside of their borders. Hopefully, we will be able to do the same soon.