US at OSCE: Russia spreading disinformation about non-Russian COVID-19 vaccines

At least four Russian online platforms linked to Russia's intelligence services were determined to be spreading disinformation about coronavirus vaccines from non-Russian manufacturers, Chargé d'Affaires at the U.S. Mission to the OSCE Courtney Austrian has said.

According to an Ukrinform correspondent, she said this at a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on Thursday, March 11.

"It is unfortunate that four Russian online platforms with ties to Russian intelligence services were determined to be spreading disinformation regarding non-Russian vaccines (including vaccines produced by Pfizer and Moderna). In doing so, Russia is irresponsibly jeopardizing global vaccine confidence and the health of people around the world by spreading disinformation about scientifically-demonstrated safe and effective vaccines," she said.

Austrian said the United States shared the "goal of disseminating safe and effective vaccines as widely as possible in the OSCE area and around the world."

The diplomat said that it is for this reason that the United States is contributing $2 billion to GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance in support of the COVAX Advance Market Commitment, and is committed to leveraging additional donor resources towards GAVI, including additional planned U.S. contributions totaling $2 billion to GAVI through 2022

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