OREANDA-NEWS. The U.S. government will not ship the coronavirus vaccine to developing countries until there are not enough drugs in the country to vaccinate Americans. This was reported by the Financial Times, citing unnamed representatives of the administration of President Joe Biden.

An unnamed spokesman for the Biden administration said that they are now "focused on vaccinating Americans, on getting vaccinated here." According to another unnamed official, Biden asked administration officials to consider donating the "surplus" of vaccines "when there is enough" in the country to meet domestic demand.

As another unnamed administration official explained, "While we are currently unable to share vaccine doses, we are working hard to support COVAX and intensify vaccination worldwide." The White House previously said the US would increase donations to the COVAX vaccination initiative to $ 4 billion.

COVAX is an international program developed by WHO in partnership with the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation. Its main purpose is to support the creation of manufacturing facilities and procure vaccines. Under the terms of the program, high-income countries pay for the purchase of vaccines, thereby subsidizing the so-called funded states.