The White House said Aug. 3 the U.S. has donated and shipped more than 110 million COVID-19 vaccines to more than 60 countries.
Most of the vaccines have been donated through Covax, a global initiative backed by the United Nations to ensure poorer countries have the same access to COVID-19 vaccines as richer countries. The countries that received the largest number of vaccines include Bangladesh, Indonesia and the Philippines. The rest were shared with regional partners chosen by the Biden administration.
"Our goals are to increase global COVID-19 vaccination coverage, prepare for surges and prioritize healthcare workers and other vulnerable populations based on public health data and acknowledged best practice, and help our neighbors and other countries in need. Importantly, the United States has not and will not use its vaccines to secure favors from other countries. Our aim is to save lives," the White House said in a fact sheet.
The White House described the 110 million doses as a "down payment" for President Joe Biden's larger plans to share hundreds of millions more doses. The U.S. will begin shipping half a billion Pfizer vaccines to 100 low-income countries at the end of August, the White House said.
Read the White House's full fact sheet here.