Friday, July 9, 2021
United States Delivers More Than One Million Free Vaccines to Bolivia
Today the Biden-Harris Administration, working through the COVAX Mechanism, delivered more than one million U.S.-made Johnson & Johnson vaccines to Bolivia. These vaccines were delivered at no cost to the Bolivian people. The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines delivered today are the same shots used in the United States where they have saved many lives. According to the World Health Organization, the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine provides greater than 90 percent efficacy in preventing hospitalization due to COVID-19. The vaccine can be stored at manageable temperatures of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius, allowing them to more easily reach distant communities.
“This delivery will protect more than one million Bolivians from COVID-19 and help Bolivia emerge more quickly from this global health crisis. They are delivered free of charge and with no strings attached. The people of the United States are proud to offer this in solidarity to the Bolivian people,” said U.S. Charge d’Affaires Charisse Phillips.
The vaccines delivered today are part of a donation by the United States of 60 million vaccines to the COVAX Mechanism. The COVAX Mechanism has already delivered more then 420,000 free vaccines to Bolivia this year, nearly half of which were manufactured by the U.S. company Pfizer. The United States will donate an additional 500 million vaccines made by Pfizer to nearly 100 countries in need through COVAX in 2021 and 2022. In addition, the United States has committed $4 billion in support to the COVAX Mechanism, the most efficient and transparent mechanism to ensure global access to vaccines. The Biden-Harris Administration is also working with partners to rally international support to bring vaccines to wherever they are needed. The United States will continue its support to the Bolivian people to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.