Washington, DC -- Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett, a member of the Ways and Means Committees, released the following statement on the announcement today of a global vaccine distribution:
"As a Co-Chair of the Congressional Caribbean and a member of the House Haiti Caucus, I applaud President Biden and his administration for answering our calls to introduce a competent global vaccination plan to support our neighbors -- particularly Caribbean nations -- who have been some of the hardest hit by the devastating effect of COVID-19. As long as this pandemic is raging anywhere in the world, we are all still vulnerable. I am proud the United States is committed to bringing the same urgency to international vaccination efforts that we have demonstrated right here at home. The allocation of approximately 6 million doses to the Caribbean and Latin America is a poignant step in the right direction that will dramatically stem the tide of COVID's deadly progression in the region.
"Recently my office spearheaded a letter to Secretary of State Blinken highlighting the need for these vaccines in the Caribbean and other parts of the world.
"These vaccines are being shared to save lives and to lead the world in bringing an end to the pandemic and with the power of our example and with our values. And we will continue to follow the science and to work in close cooperation with our democratic partners to coordinate a multilateral effort. Strong American leadership is essential to ending this pandemic now, and to strengthening global health security for tomorrow--to better prevent, detect, and respond to the next threat."