By providing safe and effective vaccines around the world, the United States continues to take bold action to safeguard both the American people and the world’s most vulnerable.
During his first visit to India, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the US government will provide $25 million (about 185 crore rupees) to fund India’s COVID-19 vaccine program through the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
With this funding, USAID will engage with India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, as well as state governments, to improve vaccine supply chain logistics, combat vaccination hesitancy, and train healthcare personnel to safely and effectively deliver vaccines across the country. To enhance equitable vaccine delivery and strengthen pandemic preparedness, USAID will work with important stakeholders such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF, the WHO, and GAVI.
This statement builds on the US and India’s strong alliance in the battle against COVID-19. Since March 2020, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided India with more than $226 million (roughly 1,670 crore rupees) in COVID-19 relief, including more than $100 million (roughly 740 crore rupees) to support India’s response to the recent surge and more than $50 million (roughly 370 crore rupees) in emergency supplies.
To bolster emergency preparedness, response, and recovery, USAID programs provide care for persons affected by COVID-19, distribute critical public health information to vulnerable groups, address stigma, strengthen case-finding and surveillance, and mobilize creative finance options.
Vaccination efforts in India and other countries will be important in the coming months to avert the development of new COVID-19 mutations. The backing of the United States will help India’s vaccination initiatives succeed and save lives.
Visit USAID’s COVID-19 Reaction | US Agency for International Development for the most up-to-date information on USAID’s response to COVID-19.
