WASHINGTON (TIP): Ahead of Indian Independence Day, Indian American lawmaker Raja Krishnamoorthi has called upon President Joe Biden and Congress to pass the NOVID act to dramatically expand US global vaccine aid to India and other nations.

“As we approach Indian Independence Day, we need to declare our independence from Covid by creating the global partnership necessary to produce and deliver the billions of vaccines necessary to truly bring this pandemic to an end,” he stated.

“Meeting those goals will demand the continued cooperation of the world’s leading democracies and producers of these life-saving vaccines, including the United States and India,” Krishnamoorthi said.

Noting that the US has so far only allocated 7.5 million vaccine doses for India, Congressman Krishnamoorthi in an August 6 statement said he had secured the support of 116 members of Congress for the legislation.

“I’m once again urging President Biden and my colleagues in Congress to come together and pass the NOVID Act into law to end this pandemic for good because, so long as outbreaks continue in any nation, the entire world faces the threat of new, vaccine-resistant variants.”

Under the NOVID Act, Krishnamoorthi and Indian American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal introduced with Senators Jeff Merkley and Elizabeth Warren, the US would establish the Pandemic Preparedness and Response Program (PanPReP), which would have oversight and responsibility for the US Government global health response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Program would also be responsible for coordinating the US Government response with international non-governmental organizations, development banks and civil society as well as foreign governments.

After the Covid-19 pandemic, the Program would shift to protect against future pandemics by coordinating a global disease surveillance network to identify and stop pandemic-potential pathogens before they spread uncontrollably.

The PanPRep would develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to end the Covid-19 pandemic worldwide through establishing specific, achievable goals, and focus on three primary issues:

Working with manufacturers to rapidly scale up the production of vaccines and vaccine components around the world to ensure there is an adequate supply of vaccines for all nations.

Working with international partners to purchase enough vaccines for low- and middle-income countries to immunize at least 60% of their populations.

Supporting end-to-end delivery and administration of vaccines in low- and middle-income countries.

 

The bill would authorize spending for $34 billion: $25 billion to cover the cost of scaling manufacturing capacity and producing 8 billion vaccine doses; $8.5 billion to cover the cost of end-to-end delivery of enough vaccines to immunize 60% of the populations in the 92 Covax countries; and $500 million to establish a global disease surveillance network to protect against future pandemics.

Covax is a worldwide initiative aimed at equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines directed by Gavi, the vaccine alliance, the coalition for epidemic preparedness innovations, and the World Health Organisation.