By Sue-Ann Wayow
TRINIDAD and Tobago officially requests Covid-19 vaccines from the United States Government.
Speaking during the Senate on Tuesday, Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Dr Amery Browne said on Monday he met with US Chargé d’Affairs Shante Moore to discuss to distribution of the vaccines.
Opposition Senator Wade Mark inquired from Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley if given US President’s Joe Biden announcement on Monday to share an additional 20 million vaccines with the rest of world, if a request was made from Trinidad and Tobago Government.
Dr Browne who replied to the question said, “With respect to the urgent question, the answer is yes. The Prime Minister has followed up directly with President Biden with respect to the provision of vaccines to Caricom and specifically to T&T based on the announced initiative from the White House and the administration of the United States.”
He reiterated that Dr Rowley and himself continued to maintain discussions with high level contacts of the Biden administration.
“ Very targeted advocacy continues,” he said.
The minister added that Biden’s announcement, an increase from the initial 60 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine that would have been available was good news for T&T and other smaller-scaled countries.
Biden’s administration is expected to give out by the end of June at least 20 million vaccines. It is still unclear which countries would benefit.
