In his comments, Blinken emphasized the need for American leadership and said the government was exploring options for sharing more doses of vaccines with other countries.
Blinken said the United States has lent vaccines to Canada and Mexico so far and hopes to work with global partners to ensure that there is sufficient supply of vaccines around the world.
“We heard you,” said Blinken, assuring countries that the United States was “acting as quickly as possible” and had no interest in exchanging shots for political favors.
“As we become more confident in our supply of vaccines here at home, we are exploring options to share more with other countries in the future,” he said. “We believe that we will be in a position to do much more on this front. I know that many countries are asking the United States to do more. “
Smith, chief executive of ONE Campaign to eradicate extreme poverty and preventable diseases, will be “on a temporary mission to the State Department,” the organization said in a statement.
“If the virus is moving faster than we are, it is winning,” said Smith after Blinken’s announcement. “But with unity of purpose, science, surveillance and leadership, we can overcome any virus.”