“We haven’t beaten a global pandemic until we’ve beaten it everywhere.”

WASHINGTON – United States Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, issued the following statement applauding President Joe Biden decision deliver 500 million doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to countries around the world:

“I applaud President Biden’s momentous decision to deliver 500 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine to dozens of countries in need, including India, Brazil and other places where COVID-19 is on the rise. In doing so, we are not only taking a crucial step in freeing up the resources needed to defeat this deadly virus abroad, but we are protecting the people at home while restoring our place as a global leader and international partner. At the heart of today’s announcement is a powerful recognition that whether you live in America or the world, your future is intertwined with mine – that we are all better when we are all better.

“The truth is, we haven’t beaten a global pandemic until we’ve beaten it everywhere. That is why I have led my colleagues to urge President Biden to take aggressive and immediate action to ensure that vaccines are administered quickly and fairly around the world. This is also why I helped introduce the NOVID law dramatically expand our international coronavirus prevention efforts. The Biden administration’s decision to deliver 500 million doses, support the TRIPS waiver and quickly send 80 million doses to countries battling the pandemic are critical first steps. But to fully immunize the world, decisively crush the virus and finally end this devastating pandemic will require additional measures.

“I look forward to continuing to work alongside the Biden administration as we implement additional measures – from financial investments to diplomatic efforts. This involves ensuring that doses are distributed fairly and quickly, that the adoption of the TRIPS waiver is secure, and that we are investing an additional $ 25 billion in the Build Back Better program to allow BARDA to oversee the production of 8 billion doses of mRNA vaccine. We must also use all available tools of US influence, persuasion, and diplomacy to facilitate the rapid and widespread expansion of vaccine production while convening a global vaccine summit with world leaders to boost advocacy. coordination. Finally, this crisis calls for support for a new issuance of Special Drawing Rights to help strengthen public health budgets around the world and provide low-income countries with resources to import medical supplies and conduct immunization campaigns. “

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