Tunis, July 30, 2021 – Today, the United States delivered one million doses of the Moderna vaccine to Tunisia through the COVAX mechanism, as part of our ongoing partnership with the people of Tunisia to defeat this devastating pandemic. These one million doses help fulfill the White House global vaccine sharing allocation plan announced on June 21, 2021, that prioritized an allotment for Tunisia. They also reflect the strength of the U.S.-Tunisian partnership and demonstrates the Biden-Harris Administration commitment to share U.S. vaccines with the world.
“Throughout the pandemic, the U.S. and Tunisia have been working closely to fight this virus,” said Ambassador Donald Blome during a ceremony at Tunis-Carthage International Airport, attended by Nadia Akacha, Minister, Director of the Presidential Office, Othman Jarandi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Tunisians Abroad, Lt. Gen. Dr. Mustapha Ferjani, Director General of Military Health, and Acting Minister of Health Mohamed Trabelsi. “The U.S. will continue to support the people of Tunisia throughout this health crisis. Our goal is to save lives and to get as many safe and effective vaccines to as many Tunisians as quickly as possible,” added Ambassador Blome.
The U.S.-Tunisia partnership is saving lives and helping Tunisia move towards economic recovery. As President Biden said: “From the beginning of my presidency, we have been clear-eyed that we need to attack this virus globally as well. This is about our responsibility—our humanitarian obligation to save as many lives as we can—and our responsibility to our values. We’re going to help lead the world out of this pandemic, working alongside our global partners.”
Earlier this week, the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia and the U.S. military’s Africa Command coordinated the delivery of 310 oxygen cannisters containing one million liters of oxygen for immediate use at Tunisian Ministry of Health hospitals.
