USAID's COVID-19 Response

We need to attack this virus globally, not just at home, because it’s in America’s self-interest to do so. The virus knows no boundaries. —President Joe Biden

USAID’s Global Response

USAID has been at the forefront of the U.S. government’s efforts to fight COVID-19 around the world, providing more than $10.6 billion in funding to intensify the fight against the virus, aiding in the donation of more than 680 million vaccines, and supporting vaccination in over 120 countries as of September 2023.

Only through collaboration can we collectively overcome COVID-19. —Administrator Samantha Power

USAID’s Programs

USAID has built on decades of global health leadership combating infectious diseases such as Ebola, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and zika to fight COVID-19 along with other vaccine preventable diseases. USAID programs helped deliver and administer COVID-19 vaccines around the globe, expand access to COVID-19 testing and treatment, protect and train health workers, deliver life-saving health commodities and equipment, share accurate and reliable public health information, and safeguard global health security.

Moving forward, USAID will continue to show up, lead, and apply lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic to bolster health systems and enhance health security now and in the future.

Vaccines continue to save countless lives, maintain public health, and reduce the threat of developing more dangerous and deadly coronavirus variants that pose a global threat. — Former USAID COVID-19 Response Team Director Beth Tritter

USAID’s Efforts Accelerating COVID-19 Vaccination

To advance the fight in countries encountering barriers to vaccine uptake, in December 2021 the U.S. government launched the Initiative for Global Vaccine Access (Global VAX), a landmark initiative to provide leadership, coordination, and financial and technical support from COVID-19 vaccine dose delivery and allocation, to shots in arms. Led by USAID, the whole-of-government effort worked to increase equitable vaccination by vaccinating priority populations–such as immunocompromised, high risk groups, and those living in hard-to-reach places–and increasing demand.

Through Global VAX, the U.S. government’s unified response contributed to an unprecedented acceleration in COVID-19 vaccine delivery, demand, and uptake globally. Learn more about the impact of the Global VAX initiative.