'Except Vaccines' US Provides Emergency Support of Vaccine Ingredients and Therapeutics to India

White House Announces After Phone Call Between National Security Advisors
Promises Support Including Therapeutics and Ventilators
No Mention of Supplying Stockpiled Vaccines
EU Also Provides No Vaccine Support

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The United States announced that it will promptly supply vaccine raw materials and oxygen to India, which is experiencing the worst COVID-19 crisis. However, finished vaccines were not mentioned as part of the supply.

The White House National Security Council (NSC) released a statement on the 25th (local time) after a phone call between NSC Advisor Jake Sullivan and Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

The statement said that the U.S. is identifying available support materials and has confirmed vaccine manufacturing raw materials to be immediately provided to India.

The U.S. also plans to supply India with therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators, personal protective equipment (PPE), and medical oxygen.

Separately, through the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the U.S. will support India to manufacture over 1 billion vaccines by next year and will also provide emergency resources through the foreign aid agency USAID.

Advisor Sullivan tweeted, "I will speak again soon with Advisor Doval. The U.S. stands in solidarity with the people of India and will send more supplies and resources."

The U.S. position came a day after major media criticized the U.S. for not supplying vaccine raw materials despite India’s daily new COVID-19 cases exceeding 300,000 and deaths reaching thousands. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had also announced cooperation with India the day before.

However, the announced support did not include mention of ready-to-use vaccine supplies. India has already administered 140 million vaccine doses but is struggling to expand vaccine production due to the U.S. policy restricting vaccine raw material supply. As dissatisfaction grows, Indian media report that anti-American sentiment is spreading. India is demanding a temporary waiver of vaccine patents from the U.S. to quickly supply more vaccines.

Earlier, U.S. President Joe Biden said that despite over 200 million vaccine doses administered in the U.S., "We are reviewing the use of stockpiled vaccines, but I am not yet confident about donating vaccines overseas." The State Department also emphasized that vaccination prioritizes the U.S. first.

The EU, Germany, and the UK have also announced plans to support India with therapeutics and other aid but did not mention vaccine support.

Countries are also restricting exchanges with India. Following the UK and Germany, Italy banned entry of travelers from India on this day.