US ‘to buy 500 million COVID-19 vaccine doses for world’

The US is set to buy 500 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to distribute around the world, media reported, as France and Belgium relaxed virus restrictions to allow restaurants and cafes to serve indoors.

The Washington Post and New York Times, citing people familiar with the matter, said President Joe Biden was due to formally announce the huge donation of Pfizer-BioNTech doses at a G7 meeting in Britain this week.

The move comes as the US faces pressure to do more about the global vaccine shortage, with rich countries having bought up the lion’s share of early supplies, according to AFP.

With the global death toll at more than 3.7 million, many nations are still struggling to contain outbreaks, according to AFP.

Rapid vaccine rollouts in wealthier parts of the world, however, including the US and Europe, are allowing the return of activities unthinkable just a few months ago.

In France, that included sipping a drink inside a cafe, allowed on Wednesday for the first time in months.

“It’s a pleasure to have a coffee inside. Normal life is gradually resuming,” said transport worker Hammou Mraoui, enjoying a coffee in a Parisian bar.