U.S. Embassy Libreville announces the donation by the United States Government of 100,620 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as part of the Administration’s global efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The United States has already donated more than 160 million doses from its domestic supply to over 100 countries. The U.S. Government coordinated closely with the African Union and Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the country allocations. The vaccine doses arrived via COVAX last night.
The vaccines will help protect the Gabonese people from the ravages of the COVID-19 virus and reduce barriers to building back the Gabonese economy. “These vaccines represent hope for a brighter future, and we are proud to continue working together with the Gabonese Government, the private sector, and civil society to do everything we can to mitigate the pandemic’s high toll on lives and livelihoods, and its social impacts,” remarked Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Christopher Tremann. “I urge each of you to get vaccinated at the earliest opportunity – as I have – and remain vigilant; through vaccination, we protect ourselves, each other, and the most vulnerable among us.”
These 100,620 doses are part of the Biden-Harris Administration commitment to share U.S. vaccine supply with the world. As we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic at home and work to end the pandemic worldwide, President Biden has promised that the United States will be an arsenal of vaccines for the world.
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.”
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Full remarks at the arrival of the donation by Christopher Tremann, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim for the United States Embassy in Libreville :
Hello, my name is Christopher Tremann, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim for the United States Embassy in Libreville. I am thrilled to [be joined today by Minister of Health Guy Patrick Obiang Ndong as we prepare to] receive the 100,620 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine donated by the United States government to the people of Gabon.
As we have come together over the last 18 months to fight the pandemic, we have been confronted by unprecedented challenges. COVID-19 has changed our way of life, the way we see and interact with each other, and even the way we do business. Many of us have lost friends, family and loved ones to this horrible virus, and I extend my deepest condolences to those who are in mourning. But through each challenge and hardship, we have witnessed the power we have when we stand together. We are strongest when we work together. And there is no greater example of this than the development of the COVID-19 vaccines in record time. We must pause here to thank the doctors, scientists, healthcare workers, nurses, and everyone else who fought – and who continue to fight – to end this pandemic. These vaccines, including the ones behind me now, represent hope for a brighter future.
This shipment of over 100,000 vaccine doses, donated by the people of the United States, is part of the Administration’s global effort to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. We have donated more than 160 million vaccine doses globally, and this is just the beginning.
The successful arrival of these 100,620 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was the result of a worldwide group effort. Let me first express my appreciation to the COVAX, GAVI, and UNICEF teams for the immense help with arranging the logistics of getting the vaccines to Gabon.
We should also thank the African Union and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for their ongoing coordination of the many U.S.-donated vaccines that are being shared across Africa.
We are proud to continue working together with the Gabonese Government, the private sector, and civil society to do everything we can to mitigate the pandemic’s high toll on lives and livelihoods, and its social impacts. We have worked side by side throughout the pandemic to share information and fight the virus. We recognize Minister Obiang and his team at the Ministry of Health for their efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Gabon and to promote vaccination.
The COVID-19 threat still exists, which is why we must all do our part to stop the spread of this disease. We have seen stark reminders that the pandemic is not over yet. With the Delta variant causing new waves of disease all over the world, it is more important than ever to get vaccinated. This donation of Pfizer vaccines from the United States provides an internationally recognized, FDA-approved alternative to other vaccines which are already available in Gabon. Regardless of which one you choose; I urge each of you to get vaccinated at the earliest opportunity – as I have – and remain vigilant. Through vaccination, we protect ourselves, each other, and the most vulnerable among us. Together, we will get through this. Thank you.
