Covid-19: US announces $25 million aid to support India’s vaccination programme

The United States on Wednesday announced an aid of $25 million (Rs 186.32 crore) to assist India’s Covid-19 vaccination programme. US’ Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the announcement during his day-long visit to India.

The financial assistance is provided under the United States Agency International Development, or USAID, an official release said. USAID will partner with the health ministry and state governments. The money will be used to support vaccine supply chain logistics, address misinformation and vaccine hesitancy, and train healthcare workers in India.

The USAID said that it has allocated more than $226 million (about Rs 1,670 crore) as Covid-19 relief to India since March 2020.

Today, I’m proud to announce an additional $25 million from the U.S. government, through @USAID, to support India’s COVID-19 vaccination program. The United States’ support will help save lives by strengthening vaccine supply chains across India. pic.twitter.com/In45qnrgID

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) July 28, 2021

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who held a meeting with Blinken on Wednesday afternoon, acknowledged efforts by the US to keep supply chains open for raw materials needed to manufacture Covid-19 vaccines, ANI reported.

In June, the United States had lifted the imposition of its Defense Production Act, which allowed supply of raw materials from the country for vaccines manufactured by pharmaceutical firms AstraZeneca, Novavax and…

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