Antananarivo,
December 7, 2021
(As prepared)
Since the start of the pandemic, the United States has stood side-by-side with the Malagasy people, like “mpirahalahy mianala,” to prevent, treat, and vaccinate against COVID-19.
This afternoon, I had the privilege to see the critical work that health care workers, government officials, and our USAID partners are doing at this vaccinodrome in Antananarivo. Just like the vaccinodromes I visited last month in Diego Suarez, Mahajanga, and Toliara, I am impressed by the professionalism and sense of purpose these essential workers bring to the urgent task of safely and efficiently vaccinating the Malagasy people against COVID-19.
The United States is the largest donor of COVID-19 vaccines to Madagascar. I am happy to report that last night, we delivered a third batch of over 336,000 doses of Johnson&Johnson/Jansen vaccine here.
These new doses, along with those donated previously by the United States, through COVAX, will help ensure that Malagasy people from all walks of life and in every part of the country have reliable, equitable access to vaccines.
Vaccination is the most effective way to save lives and stop the spread of this deadly virus.