World Bank says US must free up excess COVID vaccines for Latin America

GENEVA - The World Bank president said on Tuesday is was vital that the United States frees up excess COVID-19 vaccine doses for Latin America as the World Health Organization expressed concern about high infection rates in the region.

Mike Ryan, the top WHO emergency expert, said the situation in the region was "starting to turn in the wrong direction". Four of the top 10 countries for cases last week were there and mortality rates are higher at between 3-5%, he said. "These next few weeks are vital that in particular the U.S. frees up excess (vaccines) to go to programs that exist," World Bank President David Malpass told the same briefing.