Vaccines will be available to other countries once US inoculates 100m citizens: Kerry

The US has committed to make vaccines available for other countries soon after 100 million Americans are inoculated in the first 100 days of President Joe Biden's administration, said US Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry today.

He said the US will continue to produce vaccines, which will be available for other countries of the world, soon 100 million Americans are vaccinated.

John Kerry made the remarks while speaking to reporters after holding a meeting with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, Environment Minister Shahab Uddin, Special Envoy of the Climate Vulnerable Forum Presidency Abul Kalam Azad, Saber Hossain Chowdhury MP at the state guesthouse Padma today.

His announcement comes when the world faces a new wave of coronavirus infections amid shortage of vaccine supplies.

According to US media, the US moved closer last week toward vaccinating 100 million Americans in a race against an uptick in Covid-19 cases that is fuelling fears of another nationwide surge.

More than 99 million people have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and more than 56 million people — 17 percent of the nation's population — have been fully vaccinated, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

John Kerry also spoke elaborately on the cooperation between the US and Bangladesh on the climate front, pledging assistance in technology transfer for renewable energy, cut carbon emission and adaptation interventions.

The former American secretary of state has been nominated Joe Biden's Climate Envoy as the US returned to the Paris Agreement, from which Donald Trump withdrew, generating high hopes among the scientists and global leaders in fighting climate change.

Kerry, who arrived in Dhaka at 11:30am, is scheduled to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina this afternoon and hand over Joe Biden's invitation to attend the Global Leaders Summit to be hosted by Biden on April 22 and 23.

Forty world leaders, including from the developed countries and vulnerable countries, will join the summit.

At the summit, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be recognised for Bangladesh's leadership of countries, especially those vulnerable to climate change impacts.

"As the chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum and the Vulnerable Twenty Group of Finance Ministers, Bangladesh plays a vital role in international efforts to combat climate change and adapt and build resilience to climate hazards," said a statement of the US Embassy in Bangladesh.