Aussie legend Greg Norman demands America send its vaccines to Australia

A “dismayed” Greg Norman has given the United States an extraordinary guilt trip, demanding answers for the country’s shunning of “little brother”.

Golf legend Greg Norman has given the United States an extraordinary guilt trip over reports Australia is being snubbed of the spare Covid-19 vaccines going to waste.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has reportedly pleaded with the Biden administration to send up to 26 million unused vaccine doses Down Under as the nation’s Delta strain crisis continues to spiral out of control.

The Weekend Australian first reported the Australian government’s plea for the spare vaccine doses in the United States has been unsuccessful.

The SOS comes as Victoria announced 11 new cases on Monday, while NSW announced 262 new cases on Sunday, including one death.

Norman on Sunday took to social media to give his country of residence a guilt trip, suggesting the super power owes Australia for our history of military mateship.

“Living in the States for 40+ yrs I am so dismayed with this article and the fact that little brother has to beg to big brother for unused vaccines about to expire after all we have done in support for eons,” Norman wrote on Instagram.

“We have stood shoulder to shoulder in every war America has fought (except domestic) and this is a war. We are meant to be allies. Come on @joebiden @potus @whitehouse help little brother.”

Norman contracted the virus in December and was hospitalised.

The 66-year-old praised former American president Donald Trump’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic after detailing his frightening experience with the virus.

Norman is yet to return to Australia from the US, despite announcing in January he wants to “come home”.

The two-time British Open winner has plenty of allies in the US in his public push for Australia to be prioritised in any future vaccine donations made by the US.

Senior Republican on the House foreign affairs committee Michael McCaul has backed calls for the US to send vaccine care packages across the globe with the nation at risk of letting millions of jabs go to waste in storage.

Greg Norman in hospital. Picture: Greg Norman /Instagram

Greg Norman on Instagram showing he really, really wants America’s help. Photo: gregnorman/Instagram

Mr McCaul referred to Australia as “not only an ally but a Five Eyes ally”, insisting it be prioritised by the US Government for excess vaccines.

“I’ve been pressuring this ­administration through the COVAX program to give more of these ­vaccines that are just sitting in warehouses in the US,” he said. “They will expire if we don’t get them out the door.”

Medical publication Stat confirmed “a significant tranche of Pfizer doses is expected to expire in August”, with the head of the Arkansas vaccine rollout Robert Ator revealing “we’re drowning in this stuff”.

The New York Times reported around one million doses have gone to waste in the US since ­December.

According to Finance Minister Simon Birmingham, Australia is currently receiving 1 million doses of Pfizer with vaccination rates increasing rapidly. However, the demand for more Pfizer vials is outweighing the supply, with hesitation over the AstraZeneca vaccine still rife after a seventh blood clotting death this week.

“We’re trying to get every dose available that we can into Australia, of Pfizer, we make sure that we also have the Modena coming on line … there’ll be further increases in that, particularly as we head towards September and October,” he said via Sky News.

Australia’s stuttering vaccine rollout has been mocked by overseas commentators wondering how a “rich” country is still experiencing shortages compared to more heavily populated nations like the UK and US.

With US negotiations still “up in the ether”, it remains to be seen if the Morrison government can carry through its request.

The Shark.

A number of potential issues stand in the way of the Biden administration sending a helping hand. One source suggested the US may be keeping its excess vaccine supplies on hand in case a particularly sudden rise in Delta strain cases erupt.

The US government has also committed to a plan to deliver 500 million Pfizer doses to developing nations after inking a AU$4.7bn deal with the pharmaceutical giant.

The issue surrounding superpowers “stepping in” to aid poorer countries in the global vaccination push has remained a hot topic. Mr McCaul criticised China’s use of “vaccine diplomacy” with smaller nations in need of doses.

According to Radio Free Europe, the Ukrainian government this week agreed to remove its name from statements condemning human rights abuses in order to secure a shipment of over 500,000 jabs.

The vaccine rollout has been plagued by issues. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

America has pledged to provide hundreds of millions of vaccine doses to the world - but they’re meant to go to developing nations. Picture: AFP

China this week pledged to ship 2 billion doses across the globe this year, expanding its position as the world’s leading vaccine supplier. The CCP has already sent 770 million doses since September last year.

Originally published as Aussie legend Greg Norman demands America send its vaccines to Australia