The move comes as pressure over vaccine inequality grows on rich countries that secured most early supplies and where rapid immunization programs are allowing a gradual return of normal life, such as the resumption of indoor dining in France and Belgium this week.

The United States has also faced criticism for sitting on huge stocks of unused vaccines, but with more than 60 percent of Americans having received at least one shot, Washington is moving to reclaim global leadership with the donation of 500 million Pfizer-BioNTech jabs to 92 poor and lower-middle-income nations.

The White House described it as a "historic action that will help supercharge the global fight against the pandemic," and President Joe Biden will make the formal announcement on Thursday.

"This is the largest-ever purchase and donation of vaccines by a single country and a commitment by the American people to help protect people around the world from COVID-19."

Biden, who is attending the G7 summit in Britain this week, will also call on "the world's democracies" to contribute more to the supply of vaccines.

The massive American donation will be channeled through the Covax program, which aims to ensure the equitable distribution of vaccines around the world.

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