“The nonprofit advocacy group Public Citizen estimates that a $25 billion governmentwide initiative would produce around eight billion doses of mRNA vaccine, or enough to vaccinate half the planet. That’s far less than the trillions that could be lost if the economy contracts further as the pandemic persists.”

That’s from a New York Times editorial last week titled America Is Failing Its Moral Test on Vaccines.

A report Public Citizen published three months earlier — $25 Billion to Vaccinate the World — goes into more detail about this proposal, which would:

• Shorten the pandemic by years, thereby paying for itself many times over.

• Save hundreds of thousands — maybe even millions — of lives in poorer countries.

• Decrease the need for pandemic mitigation measures, which are costing trillions in lost economic output.

• Reduce the risk of vaccine-resistant variants emerging and making their way to the U.S.

• Enhance vaccine manufacturing capacity for the U.S., making it possible to produce booster shots, if needed, much faster than currently possible.

• Reestablish U.S. scientific, technological, humanitarian, and foreign policy leadership.

As the Times also noted:

“The United States is well on its way to protecting Americans from the coronavirus. It’s time to help the rest of the world. By marshaling this nation’s vast resources to produce and distribute enough vaccines to meet global demand, the United States would act in keeping with the nation’s best traditions and highest aspirations while advancing its geopolitical and economic interests. It is a moment of both obligation and opportunity.”

Tell President Biden:

The United States must take the lead on vaccinating the world and ending the global COVID-19 pandemic. We urge you to invest $25 billion and the full commitment of the U.S. government to this humanitarian and economic imperative without delay.

Add your name.

Thanks for taking action.

Stay safe.

- Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen

P.S. For half a century, Public Citizen has been advancing policies that put the needs of everyday Americans before the greed of billionaires and Big Business. That legacy of progress and that ongoing work could not matter more right now, as our nation transitions to a Joe Biden presidency that will be as progressive as we — you and Public Citizen, together — make it. We’re also busy undoing all the damage Trump did. And, like so many nonprofits and small businesses, we continue to experience financial strain related to the coronavirus pandemic. If you can, please make an emergency donation today to support the critical work we’re doing together or even join our popular Monthly Giving program. Thank you.
 
 
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