After Priyanka Chopra's tweet asking that the USA share its stock of vaccines with India blew up, the actress made some time on Wednesday to respond to some of the questions and comments posted to her online. The questions ranged from which countries should be filling the vaccine gap right now to comments on why some are wary of getting their vaccine shot. A question on whether Priyanka would be helping arrange vaccines and oxygen for her home country was answered in the affirmative - Priyanka says she and the Global Citizen Vax Live project - she is an ambassador for the Global Citizen collective - will work to ensure help is given where required. India is battling a devastating second COVID wave in which soaring infections have been compounded by a crippling deficit in hospital beds and oxygen as well as a reported shortage of vaccines.
The Joe Biden administration announced this week that the USA would share its AstraZeneca vaccine supply with other countries. Priyanka Chopra prefaced her responses with a note explaining that while she was "relieved to hear that the US will share up to 60 million AstraZeneca doses with countries in need," she was concerned by the lack of a clear timeline. USA has said they are "sending immediately a whole series of help" to India, including raw materials for vaccines - US President Joe Biden also told reporters this week that he had discussed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi when USA will be able to send India actual vaccines.
Priyanka Chopra wrote in her note, "I am heartened by President Biden's additional comments yesterday that he intends to send vaccines to India in the near future. So far the US has confirmed, pending FDA approval, that 10 million doses could be shared within the next few weeks. However, it could take months before the remaining 50 million are delivered."
Here is Priyanka Chopra's statement tweeted today:
I've been reading some of the responses to my tweet and want to talk more about why I'm taking action with @GlblCtzn. I'll be here with the @GlblCtznImpact team for the next 20 mins to answer some questions on how everyone can take action. https://t.co/2y93LmQkFB pic.twitter.com/qHnSAbIHp7
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) April 28, 2021
Here are some of her responses to questions and comments on her original tweet:
In addition to working with @Glblctznimpact to ensure these vaccines are sent to India at the earliest, am currently working on some initiatives to help where most needed https://t.co/WZ9XuNfcpE
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) April 28, 2021
Through the #VaxLive campaign we're supporting COVAX, a global vaccine sharing program that works with partners with lots of experience reaching rural communities. We're raising funds and calling for dose donations to COVAX. https://t.co/Tj4NGJAFKP
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) April 28, 2021
I understand and it's important people seek more info or speak with a doctor if they have concerns. Vaccines work and throughout history have saved millions of lives and eradicated diseases like Smallpox and Polio in India https://t.co/dm14z8b8hK
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) April 28, 2021
Yes we need all of these tools to save lives. The only way to stop the spread of the virus in India is by building collective immunity through vaccines. https://t.co/LOsNp4sxcH
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) April 28, 2021
The US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan - these are the wealthy countries of the G7 group that we want to see share more doses as soon as possible. https://t.co/KmTfV7yB1k
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) April 28, 2021
In her original tweet, posted earlier this week, Priyanka Chopra wrote: "My heart breaks. India is suffering from COVID 19 and the US has ordered 550 million more vaccines than needed. Thanks for sharing AstraZeneca worldwide but the situation in my country is critical. Will you urgently share vaccines with India?" She tagged President Biden and top White House officials.
My heart breaks. India is suffering from COVID19 & the US has ordered 550M more vaccines than needed @POTUS @WHCOS @SecBlinken @JakeSullivan46 Thx for sharing AstraZeneca worldwide, but the situation in my country is critical. Will you urgently share vaccines w/ India? #vaxlive
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) April 26, 2021
Priyanka Chopra, truly a global citizen, has lived on two continents the last couple of years; she's spent part of her time in USA - she's married to American singer Nick Jonas - and all of last year in London, where she has been filming and working on several projects. She is one of many celebrities who have been using their massive social media reach to amplify appeals for help from COVID patients and share information on medical resources.
