WASHINGTON – Today, Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and Ted Yoho (R-FL) urged the head of the Coronavirus Task Force, Vice President Pence, to present a plan for a coordinated, global strategy that would increase access and efficacy of a COVID-19 vaccine. Joining this bipartisan effort are Representatives David Trone (D-MD) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA). 

“Strong international coordination is necessary to accelerate and manage the development of medical countermeasures globally and, by extension, to prevent future loss of life and overcome the destruction this virus has already caused,” wrote the members. “Therefore, we encourage the Administration to continue to work with international allies and partners and provide essential American leadership, ingenuity, and expertise during this time of global crisis.”

“As long as this pandemic exists in the word, it is a threat to the lives of American citizens and our national security,” said Houlahan. “That’s why I’m leading this bipartisan coalition of Congress members to urge the Administration to work with our global partners on the development and distribution of an efficacious global vaccine. Too many lives have already been lost to this virus. We must everything in our power as elected representatives to support a coordinated effort on vaccine development and distribution.”

“Global pandemics require a global response backed by a whole-of-government approach,” said Congressman Ted Yoho. “Our federal agencies must unite under leadership from the Administration in engaging our international partners to fight COVID-19 through global health security initiatives and vaccine development organizations like Gavi and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). The pandemic is far from over, and we must work as a united front to implement a coordinated response in order to save lives and livelihoods.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed more than one million lives in the U.S. and across the world, and we need to ensure the U.S. is a leader in a global response to this virus,” said Trone. “I'm proud to join with my colleagues in advocating for a plan to collaborate internationally on vaccine access and treatment, including specifically addressing needs in developing countries. We're all made safer when we tackle this together.”