Joe Biden’s administration will join global efforts to make Covid-19 vaccines and drugs available worldwide, in an action that reverses the stance taken by his predecessor, Donald Trump, and ushers in a new era in the world. health diplomacy.
Anthony Fauci, director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said Thursday (21) that the country will join the WHO (World Health Organization) Covax program to “promote multilateral efforts” to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Addressing the WHO executive board the day after Biden took office as president, Fauci said he was honored to say that the United States would continue to be part of the organization.
“The United States stands ready to work in partnership and solidarity to support the international response to Covid-19, mitigate its impact on the world, strengthen our institutions, promote epidemic preparedness for the future, and improve health and well-being of all people around the world, ”said the immunologist.
Trump, who left the White House on Wednesday after 20 years, had said the United States would leave the Geneva-based organization. He accused the WHO of favoring China and not acting quickly enough to warn the world of the pandemic.
The initiative is part of Biden’s initial effort to undo much of his predecessor’s presidential legacy and to return the United States to a more internationalist position. The effort also included the announcement, made on the first day of the new administration, that the country will once again participate in the Paris climate agreement.
In his inaugural address on Wednesday (20), the new president said the country of Washington would lead the world “not only with the example of our power, but with the power of our example.”
Biden will meet with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday before prioritizing appeals to other allies. The information comes from Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary.
Regarding the WHO, Fauci said the United States will resume its “regular engagement” with the organization and intend to meet its financial obligations. He also endorsed the WHO mission to China to investigate the origin of the virus.
“It is imperative that we learn and use important lessons on how to prevent future pandemics,” Fauci said. “International research [sobre as origens da pandemia] it needs to be solid and clear, and we can’t wait to evaluate it. “
The director general of the entity, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, welcomed the return of the United States to the organization. “It’s a good day for WHO and a good day for global health,” he said. “We have to work together as one family.”
Jeremy Farrar, director of the medical charity Wellcome Trust, hailed the US initiative to participate in Covax, saying that strong international collaboration will be “the key to ending this pandemic as soon as possible and improving lives. millions of people around the world. the world”.
The Covax initiative, which also involves the Gavi Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization and the Coalition of Innovations in Epidemic Preparation, has struggled to mobilize the support needed to fulfill its mission of making 2 billion doses of vaccine available in the world, with equitable distribution.
This difficulty, coupled with vaccine nationalism, which has led richer countries to purchase much of the vaccine stock, is forcing some low-income countries to negotiate supply agreements independently, potentially leaving them exposed for months. without vaccine doses. urgent need.
Suerie Moon, co-director of the Graduate Institute’s Global Health Center in Geneva, said the United States’ reputation was severely damaged under the Trump administration, but the country was still a world leader in health.
“[A participação dos EUA] this will give Covax a significant positive cash injection and access to the existing vaccine stock, ”she said. “And, through the use of government authority to constrain the production and transfer of technology, it will be possible to make great strides in increasing the world’s vaccine stock.”
Clara Allain