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Biden announces U.S. will boost global vaccine-sharing

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U.S. President Joe Biden says the U.S. will donate 75 per cent of its unused COVID-19 vaccines to the U.N.-backed COVAX global vaccine sharing program.

“As long as this pandemic is raging anywhere in the world, the American people will still be vulnerable,” Biden said in a statement.

“And the United States is committed to bringing the same urgency to international vaccination efforts that we have demonstrated at home.”

To start, about 19 million will go to COVAX, 6 million to South and Central America, 7 million to Asia and 5 million to Africa.

Overall, the White House aims to share 80 million doses globally by the end of June, most through COVAX.

The administration says 25 per cent of unused doses will be kept in reserve for emergencies and for the U.S. to share directly with allies and partners.

The long awaited vaccine-sharing plan comes as demand for shots in the U.S. has dropped significantly.

More than 63% of U.S. adults have received at least one dose, and global inequities in supply have become more glaring.