U.S., staying in WHO, to join COVID vaccine push for poor nations - Fauci

[snoop1130]

U.S., staying in WHO, to join COVID vaccine push for poor nations - Fauci

By Stephanie Nebehay

 

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, speaks at an event where U.S. Vice President Mike Pence received the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine at the White House in Washington, U.S., December 18, 2020. REUTERS/Cheriss May/File Photo

 

GENEVA (Reuters) - The United States under President Joe Biden intends to join the COVAX vaccine facility that aims to deliver coronavirus vaccines to poor countries, his chief medical adviser, Anthony Fauci, told the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday.

 

Fauci, speaking to the WHO executive board, confirmed that the United States would remain a member of the U.N. agency and said it would work multilaterally on issues from the COVID-19 pandemic to HIV/AIDS.

 

"This is a good day for WHO and a good day for global health," WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

 

"WHO is a family of nations and we are all glad that the U.S. is staying in the family," Tedros said.

 

Austria, speaking for the European Union, Britain, Canada, Kenya and South Korea also welcomed the U.S. turnabout and pledged to work together to strengthen multilateral cooperation.

 

Fauci, speaking from Washington a day after Biden was inaugurated, said: "President Biden will issue a directive later today which will include the intent of the United States to join COVAX and support the ACT-Accelerator to advance multilateral efforts for COVID-19 vaccine, therapeutic, and diagnostic distribution, equitable access, and research and development."

 

The first batches of coronavirus vaccines are expected to go to poorer countries in February under the COVAX scheme run by the WHO and the GAVI vaccine alliance, WHO officials said this week, while raising concerns that richer countries are still grabbing the lion's share of available shots.

 

""We welcome the decision by the United States to join the COVAX facility, because vaccinating our own populations is not enough scientifically or morally," Britain's ambassador, Julian Braithwaite, told the board.

 

"We need a global vaccination campaign if we are to overcome this global pandemic."

 

Austrian ambassador Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger said on behalf of the EU: "It is time to renew joint EU-US efforts aimed at strengthening as well as reforming international organisations such as the World Health Organization."

 

DUES AND REFORMS

 

The United States will "fulfil its financial obligations" to WHO, Fauci said, adding it would work with the other 193 member states on reforms.

 

Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, halted funding to the WHO, where the United States is the largest donor, and announced a process to withdraw in July 2021 in what was seen as part of a broader U.S. retreat from multilateral organizations.

 

Trump accused the WHO of being "China-centric" in the initial stages of the outbreak, a charge rejected by Tedros.

 

Fauci said it was important to have transparency about the early days of the pandemic to prepare for future events.

 

Regarding a WHO-led mission investigating the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, currently in the central city of Wuhan, where the first cases were detected in December 2019, he said: "The international investigation should be robust and clear, and we look forward to evaluating it."

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-01-21

 

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[YetAnother]

6 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Joe Biden intends to join the COVAX vaccine facility that aims to deliver coronavirus vaccines to poor countries

only after all the rich ones have had their fill

[4MyEgo]

2 minutes ago, YetAnother said:

only after all the rich ones have had their fill

I suppose as long as they get a shot in the arm, it's better than nothing.

[Salerno]

5 minutes ago, YetAnother said:

only after all the rich ones have had their fill

 

And?

[Patong2021]

1 hour ago, YetAnother said:

only after all the rich ones have had their fill

It is those rich countries who will pay for the poor country vaccines.

If you destroy the economy of the well managed and responsible nations how do you expect them to help those less developed and worse managed?

Maybe if poor countries not build palaces and  armies they have money for vaccine?

[Tug]

Wonderful a first step back to what America should (imo)be an example of good giving a hand up when possible not a boot on the neck of those less fortunate 

[thailand49]

Returning is the right thing to do but the problem I have is the amount U.S. was contributing 145 million?  I say pay what everyone is paying!

[Jeffr2]

*Deleted post edited out*

 

Ummm....Trump couldn't control the virus and actually made matters worse.  A vaccine is the only answer now. 

Edited January 22, 2021 by Scott

[Searat7]

China needs to pay fair share, not the paltry amount they paid in the past. Also I am not Impressed with leader of WHO as he was obviously in bed with China and am not sure if he is a medical doctor....would not hurt to replace him. 

[Stargeezr]

The China government is still saying that the Covid 19 did not start in their country. I hope the country gets boycotted by the rest of the world. Do not visit China as a tourist for at least 5 years. Try to buy products made in other parts of the world.  Let the lying people of the Government in China know that their lies will cost them. 

 

   I have no plans of landing or going to China again in my life.  Thank goodness I can fly via Korea, Taiwan, Or even Hong Kong, as my last choice, and I could even fly via Hawaii and Taiwan if I want a 4th route.  Glad the new President of the USA,   announced that the USA is staying in WHO, It looks like the Donald did not totally undo the country.

Geezer

[John Drake]

How about making Covid vaccines available to Americans living in Thailand who, it appears, are excluded from Thai vaccine programs.

[Jeffr2]

7 minutes ago, John Drake said:

How about making Covid vaccines available to Americans living in Thailand who, it appears, are excluded from Thai vaccine programs.

They will be available via private hospitals.  Even Thais can't get jabs right now.

[John Drake]

1 minute ago, Jeffr2 said:

They will be available via private hospitals.  Even Thais can't get jabs right now.

 

 

That is speculation. When? What hospitals? The embassy told us in its email to follow the rules for Thai vaccination procedures. What are those rules for Americans? Most everyone on these fora have said Americans and other expats will and should be last in line behind any Thais getting the vaccine. Will that actually be the case? Many, if not most Americans are in the age vulnerable group for Covid. Being last in line could be a death sentence. If Fauci wants to help send vaccines to the rest of world, which I do favor, then he should also make provisions for his fellow citizens and taxpayers who are unable to get the vaccine where they reside or who will be last in line.

[Jeffr2]

Just now, John Drake said:

 

 

That is speculation. When? What hospitals? The embassy told us in its email to follow the rules for Thai vaccination procedures. What are those rules for Americans? Most everyone on these fora have said Americans and other expats will and should be last in line behind any Thais getting the vaccine. Will that actually be the case? Many, if not most Americans are in the age vulnerable group for Covid. Being last in line could be a death sentence. If Fauci wants to help send vaccines to the rest of world, which I do favor, then he should also make provisions for his fellow citizens and taxpayers who are unable to get the vaccine where they reside or who will be last in line.

I never got an email from the Embassy and I'm registered there.  Makes sense they focus on Thais first, this is their country after all and if we really want a jab, we can go back to our home countries for a free one.  Harsh, but reality.

 

There have been several threads here about private hospitals offering jabs.  Just no specific details as they are no jabs available anywhere here in Thailand.  We'll just have to wait and see how this pans out.

[wwest5829]

4 hours ago, thailand49 said:

Returning is the right thing to do but the problem I have is the amount U.S. was contributing 145 million?  I say pay what everyone is paying!

Just curious. You favor a “flat tax”? Or do you allow for a graduated taxation dependent on total income?

[wwest5829]

26 minutes ago, John Drake said:

How about making Covid vaccines available to Americans living in Thailand who, it appears, are excluded from Thai vaccine programs.

I would wish also but am thinking, not holding my breath. Actually, if we were to be serviced through our Embassy intervention that would help me further my real goal. To have US earned Medicare benefits extended globally on the same basis as the US already does for earned military retirees ...

[ExpatOK]

3 minutes ago, wwest5829 said:

I would wish also but am thinking, not holding my breath. Actually, if we were to be serviced through our Embassy intervention that would help me further my real goal. To have US earned Medicare benefits extended globally on the same basis as the US already does for earned military retirees ...

Yes, more free stuff under joseph.

 

Medicare was not set up to provide for benefits outside the US (with extremely rare exceptions, like if the nearest medical facility is outside the US).

 

Maybe joseph will change the plan. If AOC gains control of him, don't worry, it will be free stuff all around.

[John Drake]

20 minutes ago, Jeffr2 said:

I never got an email from the Embassy and I'm registered there.  Makes sense they focus on Thais first, this is their country after all and if we really want a jab, we can go back to our home countries for a free one.  Harsh, but reality.

 

There have been several threads here about private hospitals offering jabs.  Just no specific details as they are no jabs available anywhere here in Thailand.  We'll just have to wait and see how this pans out.

 

I am not asking for the Thais to put me in front of their own citizens, although I would guess Thais in the US are not being asked to return to Thailand and are getting a free vaccination from the US government. What I am asking is for our embassy to step up and protect the interest of American citizens in Thailand. Provide facilities (it doesn't need to be done on embassy grounds) where American funded vaccine shots can be given to American citizens.

[ExpatOK]

25 minutes ago, John Drake said:

 

 

That is speculation. When? What hospitals? The embassy told us in its email to follow the rules for Thai vaccination procedures. What are those rules for Americans? Most everyone on these fora have said Americans and other expats will and should be last in line behind any Thais getting the vaccine. Will that actually be the case? Many, if not most Americans are in the age vulnerable group for Covid. Being last in line could be a death sentence. If Fauci wants to help send vaccines to the rest of world, which I do favor, then he should also make provisions for his fellow citizens and taxpayers who are unable to get the vaccine where they reside or who will be last in line.

Sounds like you want Americans First no matter where they live. All that ended on Jan 20.

[John Drake]

13 minutes ago, wwest5829 said:

my real goal. To have US earned Medicare benefits extended globally on the same basis as the US already does for earned military retirees ...

 

And that would also save on Medicare expenses, as many people in the US would elect to go outside the US for treatment that is less expensive to them than medigap and other plans in the US and less expensive for Medicare reimbursement by the government.  

[ExpatOK]

3 minutes ago, John Drake said:

 

And that would also save on Medicare expenses, as many people in the US would elect to go outside the US for treatment that is less expensive to them than medigap and other plans in the US and less expensive for Medicare reimbursement by the government.  

Even under joseph this won't happen. And how about the Americans wanting financial recourse when they amputate the wrong leg in Ethiopia?  Won't happen.

[placeholder]

12 minutes ago, ExpatOK said:

Yes, more free stuff under joseph.

 

Medicare was not set up to provide for benefits outside the US (with extremely rare exceptions, like if the nearest medical facility is outside the US).

 

Maybe joseph will change the plan. If AOC gains control of him, don't worry, it will be free stuff all around.

Actually, given the much lower costs of medical care virtually everywhere else in the world, Medicare should pay rather than have Americans return for expensive treatments.

[ExpatOK]

1 minute ago, placeholder said:

Actually, given the much lower costs of medical care virtually everywhere else in the world, Medicare should pay rather than have Americans return for expensive treatments.

See my post above about Ethiopia.

[wwest5829]

14 minutes ago, ExpatOK said:

Yes, more free stuff under joseph.

 

Medicare was not set up to provide for benefits outside the US (with extremely rare exceptions, like if the nearest medical facility is outside the US).

 

Maybe joseph will change the plan. If AOC gains control of him, don't worry, it will be free stuff all around.

Sorry you chose to ignore my statement that both Medicare and military retiree medical programs are earned. While emotionally appealing to some, “free stuff” is not what is proposed. A citizen benefit return on taxes paid is what most think is a better and needed balance.

[placeholder]

Just now, ExpatOK said:

See my post above about Ethiopia.

Cherry picking much?

[ExpatOK]

1 minute ago, wwest5829 said:

Sorry you chose to ignore my statement that both Medicare and military retiree medical programs are earned. While emotionally appealing to some, “free stuff” is not what is proposed. A citizen benefit return on taxes paid is what most think is a better and needed balance.

See my post above about Ethiopia.

[John Drake]

3 minutes ago, ExpatOK said:

Even under joseph this won't happen. And how about the Americans wanting financial recourse when they amputate the wrong leg in Ethiopia?  Won't happen.

 

You work for a health insurance company, a pharma manufacturer, or some place like Tenet? 

[Jeffr2]

16 minutes ago, ExpatOK said:

Sounds like you want Americans First no matter where they live. All that ended on Jan 20.

And that's fantastic.  We live in a global society and have a global economy.  Trump's policies were a failure and an embarrassment.

[wwest5829]

3 minutes ago, ExpatOK said:

Even under joseph this won't happen. And how about the Americans wanting financial recourse when they amputate the wrong leg in Ethiopia?  Won't happen.

Do tell, is that what happens to military retirees who receive earned medical benefits around the globe. Plenty of American retirees in Ethiopia are there?

[wwest5829]

15 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

It is those rich countries who will pay for the poor country vaccines.

If you destroy the economy of the well managed and responsible nations how do you expect them to help those less developed and worse managed?

Maybe if poor countries not build palaces and  armies they have money for vaccine?

There are issues of this nature in some countries without question. It does beg the same question about a country spending more on its military than the next 10 countries combined and then stating it cannot afford a national healthcare program such as all other western democracies provide for their citizens.