DILI, U.S. Embassy in Timor Leste -- The U.S. is proud to announce the arrival of 100,620 doses of the U.S.-made Pfizer vaccine in Timor-Leste, made available by the United States through COVAX and in coordination with UNICEF. This is the first time the Pfizer vaccine will be used in Timor-Leste and provides the first opportunity for thousands of children between the ages of 12 and 17 to begin to be quickly and effectively vaccinated against COVID-19. The safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines delivered today were provided at no cost to the Timorese people and are the same shots used in the United States.
“The United States stands with Timor-Leste as an enduring friend and partner as we work to combat COVID-19,” said U.S. Chargé d’affaires Tom Daley. “Today’s shipment shows our support to the Government’s efforts to save lives in Timor-Leste – particularly for children 12 and older. We are proud to make these vaccines available because it is the right thing to do to end this pandemic and jumpstart economic recovery.”
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the United States has been working side-by-side with the Government of Timor-Leste to provide over $5.9 million in critical assistance to fight COVID-19. The United States is taking a comprehensive approach to ending the pandemic worldwide, mitigating COVID-19’s harm to people and societies, and strengthening global recovery. The United States is delivering on its promise of serving as an arsenal of vaccines for the world. We are proud to be the largest single country contributor to COVAX. The U.S. contribution of $4 billion, along with other U.S. government funds, is being used towards the purchase of the initial 500 million doses of Pfizer vaccine distributed by COVAX to low and lower-middle income economies around the world as defined by Gavi’s Advance Market Commitment and the African Union. On September 22, President Biden committed to supply an additional 500 million Pfizer vaccine doses, making available more than 1.1 billion doses, including the doses delivered today. The United States will continue to work with COVAX and other partners to ensure these vaccines are delivered in a way that is equitable and follows the science and public health data.