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Source: U.S. Embassy - Cairo, Egypt |

United States Donates 1.4 Million More COVID-19 Pfizer Vaccines to Egypt

Third Shipment Brings Total to 4.6 Million Doses Delivered in Three Weeks

The United States has committed to supply more than 8 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine to Egypt and has now provided more than 4.6 million doses

CAIRO, Egypt, October 23, 2021/APO Group/ --

U.S. Ambassador Jonathan R. Cohen welcomed the arrival of the third shipment in three weeks of Pfizer’s Coronavirus vaccines to Cairo on October 22.  This shipment of an additional 1.4 million Pfizer doses, part of a 500-million-dose donation from the United States to the countries of the African Union through COVAX, will help protect Egyptians from Coronavirus and prevent the spread of the virus’s dangerous new strains.       

Ambassador Cohen noted, “I am pleased to celebrate the arrival of this vaccine shipment of 1.4 million doses, the third direct donation of Pfizer vaccines from the people of the United States to the people of Egypt.  Today’s vaccine donation underscores our continuing commitment to support Egypt through this global health crisis.  The United States has committed to supply more than 8 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine to Egypt and has now provided more than 4.6 million doses.  Additional millions of doses of U.S. vaccines, the safest, most effective, and most technologically advanced vaccines available, will arrive in the coming weeks.”    

These Pfizer doses will be swiftly dispatched to Ministry of Health and Population facilities in Cairo, Port Said, Daqahlya, Behaira, Luxor, and Assiut, and stored in UNICEF-funded ultra-cold storage equipment used exclusively for the Pfizer vaccine.  They will be distributed to vaccination centers across the country and given to Egyptian citizens and residents.  

Dr. Naeema Al Gasseer, WHO representative in Egypt stated, “This is yet another great news demonstrating the generosity of the people and government of the United States. Upon the arrival of the third shipment of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines, the WHO renews its appreciation to the U.S. government in its pursuit to walk the walk to achieve vaccine equity to fight the pandemic through solidarity and cooperation. We continue to work hand in hand with Egyptian health authorities and partners to provide vaccines for everyone living in Egypt ensuring that the most at-risk populations and health care workers are protected.”  

“UNICEF extends its thanks to the Government of the United States for their continued support to COVID-19 response and lifesaving vaccination in Egypt. Today’s support is critical and timely. With a prospect of a next COVID wave, we need to get as many parents and as many teachers as we can to get their COVID-19 vaccines. Toward that end, we particularly appreciate the efforts of the Minister of Education Dr. Tarek Shawky to ensure the continuation of learning by encouraging teachers to get vaccinated. It is crucial that parents and teachers get their protection and are able to fully support millions of children who went back to school in Egypt,” said Mr. Jeremy Hopkins, UNICEF Representative in Egypt.  

U.S. cooperation with Egypt in fighting the pandemic is wide-ranging.  At the outset of the pandemic, Egypt sent medical supplies to the United States.  The U.S. government, through USAID, has provided more than $55 million to support Egypt’s Coronavirus response, already reaching nearly 18 million people with needed health and economic support.  USAID programs train health care workers, improve tracking of and response to the pandemic, provide food assistance to families affected by the pandemic, and support small businesses.  Just last week, the U.S. Government announced an additional $5 million in assistance to Egypt to support health workers administering vaccines and strengthen the supply chain for vaccines.  This support builds on more than $1 billion in the United States has invested over the past 40 years to improve the health of all Egyptians.      

The U.S.-Egypt partnership is saving lives and helping Egypt move towards economic recovery.  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.”  Worldwide, the United States has delivered more than 205 million COVID-19 vaccines and hundreds of millions more are on their way.   

https://www.usaid.gov/egypt/covid-19-response

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy - Cairo, Egypt.