Ammon News -

Jordan received early Sunday a shipment of 500,000 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine donated by the U.S. government. The consignment is hoped to back up the Kingdom's national vaccination drive, Minister of Health Firas Hawari said shortly after the shipment arrived at the Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA).

While thanking the U.S. government for the donation, the minister emphasized that Jordanian-U.S. relations are strategic and multifaceted, stressing that the Pfizer vaccines will provide additional thrust to Jordan's efforts to inoculate citizens and foreigners on its territory.

Chargé d'Affairs at the US Embassy in Amman Michael Hankey said: "When the United States was in dire need, Jordan generously sent us personal protective equipment. Today, the vaccines that America sent are part of the ongoing support provided by the U.S. government to Jordan," noting that the total of U.S. aid provided to Jordan to confront the coronavirus amounted to about $36.5 million.

Hankey stressed that the donation "reflects our continued commitment to supporting Jordan in confronting the coronavirus pandemic," and that the partnership between the United States and Jordan aims to save lives and helps Jordan move forward towards achieving economic recovery.