WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Carlos A. Gimenez (FL-26) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken urging the Department of State to develop a strategic plan prioritizing vaccine distribution to Latin American countries.

\"The United States has achieved significant milestones as it relates to vaccinating those who are eligible and making progress in decreasing our infection rates. While vaccinating Americans continues to be our focal priority, countries in Latin America continue to be negatively impacted by COVID-19 related deaths and vaccine shortages due to delayed receipt of vaccine doses they have already purchased\", Gimenez wrote.

In his letter, Gimenez asked specific questions about the Biden Administration’s plan to supply vaccines to Latin America after the announcement that the United States was purchasing 500 million vaccine does for distribution to the international community. Gimenez points out that the gaps in vaccine distribution from the United States in Latin America have opened the door to China and Russia to send millions of doses to the region.

 

\"Advancing vaccine distribution in Latin America is critical in safeguarding our national security and protecting our strategic interests across the Western Hemisphere,\" Gimenez wrote.

 

For the full text of the letter, please click here.

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