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HomePolicy Issues...COVID-19 Response and Recovery

# COVID-19 Response and Recovery

COVID-19 is a global challenge that requires a global response.  Together, we are working to end this pandemic.

As long as the virus is spreading anywhere, it’s a threat to people everywhere, including Americans here at home. Together we will lead the world out of this pandemic.  **That’s why the United States** will continue to catalyze political momentum and enhance coordination to close gaps in the global COVID-19 response. We must continue to accelerate access to COVID-19 vaccine, diagnostics and therapeutics, support health workers, secure supply chains, and combat mis- and disinformation around safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines. The United States, in partnership with COVAX, the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust, Caricom, and bilaterally, donated over 687 million safe and effective vaccine doses to countries and economies around the world.

**Explore our progress delivering vaccines**

> 
**We’re not going to solve this crisis with half-measures or middle-of-the-road ambitions. We need to go big. And we need to do our part: governments, the private sector, civil society leaders, philanthropists.**
Joseph R. Biden**President OF the United STATEs**

The United States is exercising diplomatic leadership in the international response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its secondary impacts while strengthening global biosecurity infrastructure to address COVID-19 and future health-related threats. As the pandemic has evolved, the Administration released an updated 2022 U.S. Global COVID-19 Response and Recovery Framework which aims to end the emergency phase of the pandemic.

**U.S. Leadership in COVID-19**

**Global****Vaccine Sharing**

**Multilateral Approach to Beating the Pandemic**

**U.S. COVID-19 Response: Strengthening Global****Supply Chains**

**Long-term Global Health Security Infrastructure Improvements and Reforms**

## U.S. Leadership on COVID-19

> 
 We have to continue to marshal commitment to ensure that ending COVID-19 remains a top focus for our governments and for our citizens.  And we’ve got to continue to coordinate relentlessly with each other, because this is the definition of a challenge that no country can solve alone.
Antony J. Blinken**Secretary of State**

The United States remains committed to leading the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic by launching the COVID-19 Global Action Plan, donating vaccines, and helping every country build back better.  Secretary Blinken launched the COVID-19 Global Action Plan (GAP) in February 2022 to work with bilateral and multilateral partners to end the acute phase of the pandemic.  We are collaborating closely with GAP partners and the WHO, increasing vaccine confidence, donating safe and effective vaccines in partnership with COVAX, Caricom, and African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT), supporting sustainable international vaccine manufacturing capabilities,  strengthening supply chains and improving distribution of critical medical supplies, and reforming the global health security architecture through global and regional efforts.

No country faces the threat of COVID-19 alone, which is why:  

        - On February 8, 2023 Secretary Blinken hosted the fourth COVID-19 Global Action Plan (GAP) Ministerial to reflect on progress made in addressing the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, the work remaining, and to collaborate with GAP partners on strategies to prevent, detect, and respond to future global health threats. Foreign Ministries came together through the GAP to catalyze political momentum around critical gaps in the response and enhance coordination [ Chair’s Statement ] [ Remarks ]
        - On September 23, 2022 United States Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield stepped in for Secretary Blinken to co-host the third COVID-19 Ministerial with Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Albares Bueno, Botswanan Foreign Minister Lemogang Kwape, and Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Abul Kalam Abdul Momen. [ Remarks ] [ Chairs’ Statement ]
        - On July 19, 2022 Secretary Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa cohosted an expanded group of countries and international organizations to maintain progress and drive action along the six GAP lines of effort. [ Remarks ] [ Joint Statement ]
        - On June 15, 2022 the United States convened a GAP Senior Officials Meeting to welcome an expanded group of partners and prepare action items for the next Foreign Ministerial.  The Secretary addressed the group and thanked them for their dedication to ending the acute phase of the pandemic. [ Remarks ] [ Media Note ]
        - On May 10, 2022 The United States, Senegal, Belize, Germany, and Indonesia cohosted a second COVID-19 Summit that convened countries, private sector and NGOs with financial and policy commitments towards recommitting intensity to the global response, vaccinating the world, protecting the most vulnerable, and preventing future catastrophes. [ Fact Sheet ] [ Secretary Blinken Remarks]  [ President Biden Remarks ]
        - On February 14, 2022 Secretary Blinken launched the COVID-19 Global Action Plan (GAP) in partnership with 18 countries and international organizations, and the World Health Organization. The GAP established six key lines of effort: get shots in arms, bolster supply chain resilience, address information gaps, support health workers, ensure acute non vaccine interventions, and strengthen the global health security architecture. [ Remarks ] [ Press Statement ]
        - On December 21, 2021 Secretary Blinken convened several foreign ministers and representatives of regional organizations involved in the response to the Omicron variant. They exchanged information to better understand the Omicron variant, coordinate a global response, and accelerate efforts to combat COVID-19. [ Readout ]
        - On November 10, 2021 Secretary Blinken hosted a Foreign Ministerial to build on the momentum generated by the September 22 Global COVID-19 Summit, chaired by President Biden. Foreign ministers and leaders of international and regional organizations assess the current state of the global response to COVID-19, the virus’s impact, the threat of future pandemics, and efforts to accelerate toward vaccine equity and impact. [ Remarks ] [ Chair’s Statement ] [ FPC Briefing with Coordinator Gayle Smith ]
        - On September 22, 2021 President Biden convened a virtual Global COVID-19 Summit focused on ending the pandemic and building better health security to prevent and prepare for future biological threats. [ Statement ] [ President Biden Remarks ] [ Secretary Blinken Remarks ]
        - On June 10, 2021 President Biden announced that the United States will donate half a billion Pfizer vaccine doses to 92 low- and middle-income countries as well as the African Union. The United States will continue to share doses from our domestic supply as they become available. [ Fact Sheet]
        - On May 17, 2021 President Biden announced the United States would donate 80 million vaccine doses to the world by the end of June. [ Fact Sheet ]
        - On April 15, 2021 the United States co-hosted the “One World Protected” pledge event with Gavi which gathered leaders from across the globe, took stock of progress to date to ensure equitable and accelerated global delivery of COVID-19 vaccines, made the investment case for contributions to COVAX, and encouraged countries and the private sector to make new commitments and galvanize additional resources.  Governments and the private sector made pledges to provide more than $300 million in financial contributions, millions of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine doses to be shared through COVAX, and other in-kind assistance.   

### Discover More

**U.S. Announces Worldwide****Vaccine Donations**

**Biden: U.S. will donate 500 million****vaccine doses for global Covid-19 fight**

**U.S. supports waiving rights****to COVID-19 vaccines**

**U.S. rushes to aid India****amid dire COVID-19 outbreak**

**Flickr Album: U.S. Delivers****Covid-19 Vaccines Worldwide**

## Global Vaccine Sharing

The United States is leading the world in donating vaccines in partnership with COVAX, the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust, and Caricom.

**EXPLORE OUR PROGRESS DONATING VACCINES**

Our principles for sharing U.S. vaccines include achieving broad global coverage; responding to surges and other urgent situations and public health needs; and responding to as many country requests as possible, including our neighbors.  We are sharing vaccines as a continuation of our decades-long work to promote global public health and security. 

Our work on a vaccine supply framework is guided by a three-part approach. 

First, after having successfully secured enough vaccine supply for Americans, we donated surplus U.S. vaccine supply and encouraged other countries with surplus supplies to do the same. 

Second, we worked with U.S. vaccine manufacturers to significantly increase vaccine supply for the rest of the world. 

Third, we are working with our international partners, investment entities, pharmaceutical companies, and other manufacturers to create the kind of global vaccine production and manufacturing capacity and capabilities that can not only continue to combat COVID-19, but also help prepare the world to respond to potential future threats. 

> 
America will be the arsenal of vaccines in our global fight against COVID-19, just as America was the arsenal of democracy in World War II.
Joseph R. Biden**President OF the United STATEs**

The United States will continue to donate safe and effective doses to countries and economies around the world.  We are also supporting demand creation, distribution, and administration of vaccines through Global Vax.

### Safety and Efficacy

Getting vaccinated will help keep you, your family, and your community healthy and safe.  Vaccines will help bring this pandemic to an end. Visit **vaccines.gov** for more information.

The United States and our partners adhere to internationally accepted scientific standards for stringency and transparency in clinical trials, which are critical for maintaining public trust in the safety and efficacy of vaccines.    

The U.S. government continues to monitor vaccine safety and efficacy even after vaccines are authorized for use by our Food and Drug Administration.  We continue to encourage the World Health Organization (WHO) and all foreign governments to rigorously assess all vaccines for safety, efficacy, and good manufacturing practices before, during, and after deployment.

## Multilateral Approach to Beating the Pandemic

> 
The world has to come together to bring the COVID pandemic to an end everywhere.
ANTONY J. BLINKEN**SECRETARY OF STATE**

As President Biden has made clear, the United States supports multilateral approaches and is working as a partner to address global challenges.  Alongside our G7+ partners, the United States and its allies committed to providing more than 2 billion vaccines for the world.  Drawing on our strengths and values, the United States will continue to work with other countries to shape a recovery that promotes the health and prosperity of our people and planet at global and regional levels.  

In working to strengthen the WHO and other multilateral entities we are: 

        - Accelerating global vaccine development and deployment, including by continuing to donate safe and effective vaccines
        - Collaborating with international organizations and industry to support geographically diversified manufacturing capacity, including through voluntary licensing
        - Improving information, data, and sample sharing, including sequencing new variants 
        - Promoting transparent and responsible vaccine sharing practices 

        - Bolstering vaccine confidence. 
        - Supporting the Global Fund replenishment
        - Partnering with 33 governments, regional organizations and WHO as a part of the COVID-19 Global Action Plan

In terms of financial and technical support, the United States is the largest contributor to global health organizations.  We reaffirm our support for all pillars of the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A), its COVAX facility, and affordable and equitable global access to vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.  

### Discover More

**U.S. and international partners****aid Brazil’s fight against COVID-19**

**U.S. rallies support for global****vaccination distribution**

**U.S.-Belgium Partnership****is on Front Lines of COVID-19****Vaccine Distribution**

**Biden: Quad Partners****Boosting COVID-19 Vaccine****Production in India**

## U.S. COVID-19 Response: Strengthening Global Supply Chains

President Biden is determined to help the global health system build back better.  The United States is committed to working with partners in the private sector and with foreign governments to strengthen a diversified and resilient global supply chain, improve key global manufacturing capacities, and close global gaps in the availability and distribution of vaccines, therapeutics, testing, and PPE. Additionally, the United States with international partners are working together to make sure that the components that make these vital, life-saving drugs can move more smoothly around the world.Much of this work is guided by a series of Executive Orders and National Security Memorandum 1, released in the opening weeks of the Biden-Harris Administration, to provide U.S. leadership on global health and security.   It has been further strengthened by the National Biodefense Strategy and the Bioeconomy Executive Order for a multifaceted approach to a complex challenge.

### Discover More

**U.S. and COVAX:****Vaccinating the World**

**Biden Bolsters U.S. Support****for COVID-19 Vaccinations Abroad**

## Long-term Global Health Security Infrastructure Improvement and Reforms 

Advancing global health security and disease outbreak preparedness is vital not only to protect health and safety, but also to ensure economic prosperity and defend national security interests.  As we have seen, if people become sick from an infectious disease, jobs can be lost and entire communities suffer.  

We are committed to strengthening global health security so that the world may build back better in order to prevent, detect, and respond to the next infectious disease outbreak.  

As a founding member of the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) in 2014, the United States has invested in training and programs to strengthen countries’ public health infrastructure.  

Our commitment to global health builds on a long tradition. Over the past two decades, the United States has provided more than $140 billion in global health assistance, including over $100 billion to fight HIV/AIDS through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).  Since 2003, PEPFAR has saved more than 25 million lives.  We are the world’s largest contributor to global health and the international response to COVID-19. Our assistance also addresses the humanitarian, economic, and social impacts of COVID-19.    

Longstanding health partnerships and investments—including through the Global Health Security Agenda, President’s Malaria Initiative, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi)—have provided the technical expertise and critical infrastructure needed to bolster preparedness, rapidly respond to COVID-19, and save lives.   

> 
As we’ve seen with COVID-19, sustainable financing is necessary to break the cycle that we often see: a panic when something happens and then neglect after a little while.  That’s what too often characterizes global health security.
ANTONY J. BLINKEN**SECRETARY OF STATE**

We are also evaluating mechanisms that will leverage the current international political will to meaningfully and urgently improve global health security infrastructure to prevent, detect, and respond to future public health threats to include:  

        - Strengthening the WHO; 
        - Improving International Health Regulations implementation; and 

        - Engaging with international partners and the private sector to distribute vaccines and determine appropriate approaches for safe travel and trade.  
        - Advancing health security capacity building efforts, including through national, regional, and global efforts, as well as through U.S. bilateral partnerships to include but not limited to work through the Quad, APEC and launch of the Economic and Health Dialogue of the Americas.

## Department Resources

**Frequently Asked Questions on COVID-19 Vaccinations and Testing for International Travel**

### Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor

COVID-19, Democracy, Good Governance, and Human Rights

### Educational and Cultural Affairs

Exchange Visitor Program Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

### Foreign Service Institute

FSI Training StatusResources for Resilience During COVID-19 from the Foreign Service InstituteShort-Term Housing Options from the Foreign Service Institute

### Global Community Liaison Office

COVID-19: GCLO Crisis Management Resources

### Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs

Office of International Health and Biodefense

### Office of Foreign Missions

Office of Foreign Missions: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Information and Resources

### Office of Global Partnerships

Office of Global Partnerships: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Information and Resources

### Office of International Religious Freedom

Fact Sheet: The Impactful Role of Faith Actors in the COVID-19 Pandemic

### President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)

PEPFAR’s HIV Response in the Context of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

### Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization

COVID-19 Resources for Government Contractors

### Under Secretary for Management

 Department of State COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan

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