The Pentagon announced on Saturday that it is suspending a plan to vaccinate Guantanamo detainees against COVID-19, following a controversy sparked by problems delivering vaccines to medical staff and elderly Americans.
“Not a single Guantanamo prisoner has been vaccinated,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on Twitter.
“We are suspending the plan while reviewing the protocols. We remain committed to our obligations to protect our troops,” he added.
The US naval base in Guantanamo, Cuba, houses prisoners in the “war on terror”, including Khalid Cheij Mohamed, one of the leaders of Al Qaeda and alleged mastermind behind the September 11, 2001 attacks.
The military prison houses 40 other inmates, including 26 who are considered too dangerous to be released, but legal proceedings are ongoing due to the complexity of their cases.
The Department of Defense announced to the US media this week that it would offer vaccines to its detainees, which would be administered “on a voluntary basis.”
US lawmakers were quickly outraged, including Republican House Leader Kevin McCarthy.
“President Biden told us he would have a plan to beat the virus from day one. What he never told us is that it would be to deliver vaccines to terrorists earlier than most Americans,” he said on Twitter.
Congressman Elise Stefanik added, “It is unforgivable and anti-American if President Biden chooses to prioritize vaccinations for convicted terrorists in Guantanamo over older Americans and veterans.”
The United States is the country most affected by the pandemic in absolute terms, with 436,000 deaths and nearly 26 million cases.
President Joe Biden promises to vaccinate 100 million Americans in his first 100 days, but so far the vaccination plan has faced several hurdles, including vaccine shortage and technical difficulties.
According to authorities, of the 50 million doses distributed in the country, less than 30 million have been injected.