The Biden administration just announced its intent for the United States to join the COVAX vaccine facility, which aims to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to poor and under-developed countries.
Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath, president and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), made the following statement:
“As the organization representing U.S. biotechnology companies who are leading the world in the of development COVID vaccines and therapeutics, BIO welcomes Dr. Anthony Fauci’s statement today that the United States will be joining the global COVAX and ACT Accelerator programs, which are the chief international efforts charged with getting COVID treatments to patients around the world.
“Medical breakthroughs in COVID can only fulfill their potential, and the global pandemic can only be effectively addressed if patients around the world get access to them. As the country developing more COVID vaccines and therapeutics than any other, it is appropriate and necessary that the United States also play a leadership role working with other countries and international organizations to make sure patients around the world receive them.
“BIO looks forward to working with the U.S. and other governments to achieve this critical goal.”