(Washington) The United States on Tuesday reiterated its readiness to provide COVID-19 vaccines to China amid an unprecedented wave of COVID-19 that threatens the elderly in that country.
Speaking at a daily press briefing, State Department spokesman Ned Price recalled that the United States has millions of doses of vaccines and that it is ready to send some if Beijing wanted.
“The United States is the largest donor of COVID-19 vaccines worldwide. We are ready to continue helping people around the world, including China, with these vaccines or any other COVID-19 support,” he said.
“It is in the interest of the international community that we can collectively help China keep (the epidemic) under control,” he added.
Since 2020, China has been imposing strict health restrictions, in the name of a so-called “zero COVID-19” policy which has made it possible to protect those most at risk, generally poorly vaccinated.
The government unexpectedly ended most of these measures in early December against a backdrop of growing exasperation among the population and a considerable impact on the economy.
The number of cases has since exploded. The extent of the epidemic is “impossible” to determine, by the admission of the authorities, screening tests are no longer mandatory and the data fragmentary.