The United States government, through its embassy, accredited near Monrovia, has announced the donation of 302,400 doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s global effort to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
A release from the US embassy said, “The donated vaccines are part of the U.S. pledge to initially provide at least 25 million of 80 million doses globally with Africa.” The U.S. government coordinated closely with the African Union and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention on the various countries allocations. The vaccine doses arrived via COVAX last evening.
“The vaccines will help protect the Liberian people from the ravages of the COVID-19 virus and reduce barriers to building back the Liberian economy,” the US embassy’s press release said.
Speaking at the donation ceremony, US Ambassador accredited to Monrovia, Michael McCarthy, said, “We are proud to continue working together with the Liberian government, the private sector, and civil society to do everything we can to mitigate the pandemic’s high toll on life, livelihood, and social impacts.
He is quoted as saying, “To everyone who has not gotten vaccinated, I strongly encourage you to do so – as I did – as soon as you have the opportunity.”
The release further stated that the 302,400 doses are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to share U.S. vaccine supply with the world. “As we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic at home and work to end the pandemic worldwide, President Biden has promised that the United States will be an arsenal of vaccines for the world.”
According to the embassy, as President Biden said, ‘From the beginning of his presidency, we have been clear-eyed that we need to attack this virus globally as well. This is about our responsibility – our humanitarian obligation to save as many lives as we can – and our responsibility to our values. We’re going to help lead the world out of this pandemic, working alongside our global partners’.”
