Senators in US are urging President Joe Biden to assure a global supply of Covid-19 vaccines

A group of prominent American senators has written to President Joe Biden, urging him to assure the global supply and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, in response to India's Ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu's outreach.

"Global health experts have identified an array of needs where the United States leadership can have a real and immediate impact to save lives and slow the spread of COVID-19. Most important is to continue to help countries manage and deliver the vaccines, especially given the generous investment by the United States in purchasing the doses," four top American lawmakers wrote in the letter.

Barbara Lee, chair of the important Congressional Asian American Pacific Caucus, Judy Chu, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Raul Ruiz, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and Joyce Beatty, chairperson of the Congressional Black Caucus, all signed the letter.

These powerful Congressional caucuses encouraged the Biden administration to invest in the global supply and manufacture of vaccinations, medicines, and medical equipment to combat the pandemic in a letter dated January 23.

The development comes after India's Ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and the embassy made a concerted effort to reach out to these major caucuses, which represent over 170 members of the US Congress and numerous senators.

During these outreach programmes, Indian diplomats emphasised the importance of India and the United States' strong healthcare connection, as well as the possibility for India-US collaborations to supply affordable vaccinations and medicines to developing countries, particularly Africa and Latin America.

Sandhu has met with the chairs of all three caucuses, and they have all indicated strong support for working with India for the greater good.

India has also received backing from other major members of the caucus. The Black Caucus had previously written to the ambassador separately on vaccine cooperation and vaccine delivery to Africa in 2021.

The congressmen also stated in the letter that American leadership is required in extending access to diagnostic, therapeutic, and other health-related requirements such as oxygen and personal protective equipment.

"Not least, as the pandemic stretches into its third year, assistance is needed to address related harms such as hunger, school closure, growing strains on health system and other related health efforts," the letter added.