The sequel to the 2021 movie is an average thriller
movie reviews7 hours ago
The African Union (AU) intends to buy up to 110 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine from Moderna Inc in an arrangement brokered in part by the White House, which will defer delivery of some doses intended for the United States to facilitate the deal, officials told Reuters.
The AU's doses will be delivered over the coming months, with 15 million arriving before the end of 2021, 35 million in the first quarter of next year and up to 60 million in the second quarter.
"This is important as it allows us to increase the number of vaccines available immediately," AU coronavirus envoy Strive Masiyiwa said in an email. "We urge other vaccine producing countries to follow the lead of the (U.S. government) and give us similar access to buy this and other vaccines."
Masiyiwa said the Moderna purchase represented the first time the 55-member AU had secured vaccines that were not fully produced in Africa.
The new shipments of vaccine are well below what Africa needs to vaccinate its 1.3 billion people, who have had far less access to the life-saving vaccines than more prosperous parts of the world. Getting access to Moderna vaccines adds diversity to the AU's vaccine supply with different storage requirements.
The Biden administration is deferring delivery of 33 million doses it had bought from Moderna to give the AU its "spot in line" to make a purchase, according to Natalie Quillian, the White House's deputy coordinator for Covid-19 response.
"We are grateful to have helped negotiate this encouraging step forward between Moderna and the African Union that will significantly expand access to vaccines on the continent in the near-term," Quillian said.
The United States, which has seen more than 700,000 people die from Covid-19, is flush with vaccines. The delayed Moderna deliveries will not have an impact on efforts to provide booster shots to already inoculated Americans, Quillian said.
Moderna said it was working to make it possible to fill doses of its Covid-19 vaccine in Africa by 2023 and has plans to build a manufacturing plant on the continent.
"This is the first step in our long-term partnership with the African Union," Moderna Chief Executive Stéphane Bancel said in a statement, referring to a Memorandum of Understanding to make up to 110 million doses for the AU.
Last month, the AU accused vaccine manufacturers of denying African countries a fair chance to buy vaccines and urged manufacturing countries, in particular India, to lift export restrictions on vaccines and their components.
The sequel to the 2021 movie is an average thriller
movie reviews7 hours ago
A realisation prompted her to seek a fresh start and explore new opportunities beyond the catwalk
entertainment7 hours ago
The festival returns for its third edition with bigger and better events, including the ultimate gaming event, the GameExpo
gaming7 hours ago
Casa Arabe is committed to being a meeting point between Spain and the Arab world
uae8 hours ago
From stocking up essentials to ensuring safety of vehicles and properties, they take no chances
uae8 hours ago
The UAE face a tricky challenge on Friday in what could be a rain-interrupted qualifying game against Vanuatu
cricket8 hours ago
The daughter of Sheikh Mohammed married Sheikh Mana in a grand ceremony last year
uae8 hours ago
Authorities also apprehended 179 suspects across 196 operations worldwide
crime9 hours ago