US President has received PM's letter on vaccines

Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Amery Browne says diplomatic sources have said the US State Department is considering the matter of vaccine access for the Caribbean.

He said there has been acknowledgement of receipt of a letter the Prime Minister wrote to President Biden requesting vaccines for Caribbean use.

Dr Rowley wrote to Biden on Saturday as Caricom chairman, seeking supplies of WHO-approved covid19 vaccines for the entire Caricom region.

Browne, in a WhatsApp response to questions from Newsday, said “The matter continues to be followed via communication with the US Embassy in Port of Spain, and also via the TT Embassy in Washington DC. There has been acknowledgement of receipt, and an indication via diplomatic contacts that the matter of vaccine access to the Caribbean region is currently being considered at the State Department.”

He said several meetings will take place over the next few weeks at which vaccine availability will be discussed.

“The Prime Minister meets this week with one of the most senior US representatives to continue his strong global advocacy on behalf of our region. Also this week, the Caricom Ambassadors in Washington DC will meet with the Foreign Relations Committee of the House of Representatives.

“I am scheduled in April to join with my Caricom colleague ministers of foreign affairs to meet with the US Secretary of State. The issue of vaccine availability will be further addressed as part of the follow-up to the leadership of the Prime Minister on this issue which affects developing countries in our region and across the globe".

Responses to requests for a comment from the US Embassy were not forthcoming up to news time.

Rowley has been vocal about the struggles smaller countries have been experiencing in accessing covid19 vaccines, as larger countries with more resources have been ordering the bulk of the vaccines being produced.

Trinidad and Tobago is expected to receive 33,600 vaccines, a third of its Covax order, by the end of the month.