Psaki said on Thursday that the White House is now “assessing how we can lend doses” to the two countries bordering the US. “It’s not quite done yet. But that is our goal and what we are working towards. ‘
The government intends to send 2.5 million shots to Mexico and 1.5 million to Canada from its 7 million “soluble doses,” she added.
The Food and Drug Administration has so far approved the use of three separate vaccines for Americans – from drug manufacturers Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson – but AstraZeneca has not yet submitted for review. After being the frontrunner in the vaccination race, promising that doses would be available by October 2020, AstraZeneca soon hit roadblocks with safety issues to stop trials and then confusion over optimal doses delaying implementation.
The effects of the company’s vaccine have also stumbled as European countries that approved the shot earlier this year withdrew recommendations, citing concerns about blood clots. While the European Medicines Agency said on Thursday that it still believes the shot is safe and effective, confidence has been shaken throughout the block.
As AstraZeneca’s FDA review process continues, Psaki said the government “is taking action … to get ready to get the vaccines from the American people if they are approved.” The company can submit an emergency permit by April.
A senior administration official told POLITICO earlier this week that ‘we are continuing to evaluate the safety data of the vaccine and that the delivery of doses to other countries is balanced to ensure that there are enough vaccines in the US this summer.
The Trump administration ordered 300 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine in May 2020, making it the largest vaccine order to date. But Pfizer and Moderna soon surpassed the British drugmaker, prompting the government to expand its order with those companies. Biden has since received 300 million doses of Pfizer and Moderna.
The administration’s plan to share vaccination was first reported by Reuters.
Erin Banco, Anita Kumar and Sarah Owermohle contributed to this report.