Photo: Mohammad Shahhosseini/Unsplash

By KELIN DILLON

Following a call between Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, the United States has agreed to send 8.5 million doses of vaccines against covid-19 to Mexico.

The United States is set to send 3.5 million doses of Moderna and and 5 million of AstraZeneca, which require two shots each to be effective, ultimately making the donation cover the full vaccination scheme of 4.25 million Mexicans.

Prior to his call with Harris on Monday, Aug. 9, AMLO stated his desire for 1.35 million doses of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine; though he did not get the brand he initially requested, the new U.S. shipment will now cover the vaccination of more than triple the amount of people.

The vaccines do not have a set date to arrive yet but should come some time in August, said Secretary of Foreign Relations Marcelo Ebrard in a press conference on the morning of Aug. 10.

Ebrard touted the shipment as indicative of the current positive relationship between the United States and Mexico.