The U.S. Embassy in Cotonou, Benin announces the donation by the United States Government of 302,400 doses of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine as part of the United State’s global efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The donated vaccines are part of the U.S. government’s initial pledge to provide at least 25 million of 80 million doses globally to African partners. The U.S. government coordinated closely with the African Union, Africa CDC, and COVAX on the country allocations. COVAX supported delivery of these vaccine doses, which arrived in Cotonou on July 26.
This donation will help protect the Beninese people from the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic and begin reducing barriers to building back the Beninese economy. The United States’ support to Benin includes vaccine roll-out monitoring and evaluation in partnership with the World Health Organization, as well as COVID-19 prevention, testing, and rapid response efforts.
“We are proud to support Benin’s efforts to combat this disease with this donation, part of our longstanding commitment to the development of a healthier, more prosperous future for Benin and its people,” said Ambassador Patricia Mahoney.
These 302,400 doses are part of the Biden-Harris Administration commitment to share U.S. vaccine supply with the world. As we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic at home and work to end the pandemic worldwide, President Biden has promised that the United States will be an arsenal of vaccines for the world.
As President Biden said, “From the beginning of my presidency, we have been clear-eyed that we need to attack this virus globally as well. This is about our responsibility — our humanitarian obligation to save as many lives as we can — and our responsibility to our values. We’re going to help lead the world out of this pandemic, working alongside our global partners.”
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