Your Excellency, Dr. Armindo Tiago, Minister of Health;
UNICEF Country Representative, Maria Luisa
Estimados amigos moçambicanos,
It is a privilege to join you today in the spirit of partnership and goodwill as we celebrate a new phase of the global effort to combat COVID-19. Today we are not where we were two years ago. That is thanks to the rapid, heroic response of the Mozambican government, international partners, civil society and religious leaders, the private sector, and most of all front-line workers. Today, because of global and local displays of solidarity, we have shown resilience against this virus. And we are better prepared to face the next one that will inevitably affect us all.
I want to recognize the amazing successes that the Mozambican Government has had in vaccinating nearly 15 million people, or ninety-six percent of eligible adults. This is among the highest rates in Africa and a model for many around the globe.
The United States is honored to be a strong partner of Mozambique in the health sector for decades. This has been especially true throughout this pandemic. Since 2020, we have partnered with Mozambique to strengthen the oxygen ecosystem, build capacity throughout the health system, and manage misinformation through targeted messaging campaigns, among many other areas.
Since last March, the U.S. Government has donated more than 4.5 million single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccines, and today, I am honored to announce the arrival of more than 1.3 million Pfizer vaccines for teens, with 3.5 more on the way over the next two weeks.
In vaccinating people ages 12 to 17 years old – one of the largest age groups in Mozambique – we are strengthening the nation’s collective resilience against this virus. This vaccine is the same vaccine American teens receive. It is effective and it is safe. We encourage young people here to get vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available, because none of us will be protected from COVID until we all are.
The United States is committed to doing all that we can to help Mozambique reach high vaccination rates among its entire population. Combatting COVID-19 is a global effort that is only achievable together.
I am honored and delighted to expand our partnership with Minister Tiago and the health sector. We will continue to support vaccine efforts with crucial logistics, campaign planning, and in communicating essential information to all.
Juntos somos mais fortes. E com parceria, vamos superar.
Muito obrigado. Estamos Juntos.
