Brazil among recipients of first U.S. vaccine donations

The Joe Biden White House has revealed its plan for sharing coronavirus vaccines with the world, naming the countries that will receive its initial donation of 25 million doses. (The U.S. president has pledged to share at least 80 million doses this month and additional shipments beyond that.)

Covid-stricken Brazil — which, according to experts, is set to experience a third wave of infections — will receive a share of the 6 million doses planned for South and Central America by way of the UN-backed COVAX initiative.

COVAX will receive 75 percent of the 25 million doses, with another 25 percent to be shared bilaterally to address immediate surges (starting with Mexico and Canada).

“We want to save lives and thwart variants that place all of us at risk,” said White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, during a press briefing on Thursday. Under Mr. Biden, however, the U.S. was accused of hoarding vaccines and adopted an “America first” approach to immunizers. 

Now, with 41 percent of the American population fully vaccinated, the president has decided to pivot and share doses with the rest of the world. The donations come just before Mr. Biden’s first international trip as president — including the upcoming G7 summit, in England.

• 🎙️ You should listen to Explaining Brazil #150: Vaccine diplomacy in Latin America

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