The US will not any donate any coronavirus vaccine doses to developing countries until there is a plentiful supply of jabs in the US, Biden administration officials said on Thursday in a firm rejection of a proposal made by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Macron told the Financial Times this week that Europe and the US should urgently donate up to 5 per cent of their current vaccine supplies to developing countries, including in Africa, where Covid-19 inoculation campaigns have barely started and China and Russia are offering to fill the gap.

“Our current focus is on vaccinating Americans, getting shots in arms here,” one official said during a briefing with reporters. Another official said US President Joe Biden had asked administration staff to look into options for donating “surplus” vaccines “once there is a sufficient supply” to meet domestic demand.