ChinaleadsthewaywithSoutheastAsiainCovid-19vaccineequity_an

原标题：China leads the way with Southeast Asia in Covid-19 vaccine equity

The world is now under great pressure to administer vaccines as an immediate measure to curb the worst pandemic in a century that still shows no signs of slowing down. In an effort to contain the pandemic, many countries are searching for deals to secure vaccine access.

According to data collected by Bloomberg based on interviews, company disclosures, news reports and government data, up to Jan. 22, 2021, 8.49 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines have already been set aside, which would be enough to cover more than half of the world’s population if the shots were distributed evenly (considering most vaccines demand two doses).

However, as WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned in his opening remarks at 148th session of the Executive Board, “…we now face the real danger that even as vaccines bring hope to some, they become another brick in the wall of inequality between the world’s haves and have-nots…It’s not right that younger, healthier adults in rich countries are vaccinated before health workers and older people in poorer countries.”

Truth is that rich developed countries have accumulated extensive supply deals and storage, leaving other countries in a passive role. The gap of vaccine distribution between countries is shocking, as Tedros pointed out, “more than 39 million doses of vaccine have now been administered in at least 49 higher-income countries. Just 25 doses have been given in one lowest-income country.”

Jan. 20, 2021, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying stressed about Chinese President Xi Jinping’s pledge at the 73rd WHA that China’s vaccines, once developed and deployed, would be made a global public good and help to realize the accessibility and affordability of Covid vaccines in developing countries worldwide.

In the race to immunize people and save lives, the Southeast Asia faces challenges of uneven distribution and large population. Many countries in the region have issued relevant policies and started official Covid-19 vaccination projects. Since China has always been a close friend and has shared a long lasting partnership with the Southeast Asia, amid the pandemic, China becomes a solid contracted vaccine supplier for many Southeast Asian countries to ensure mass rollout. Here is a tracker of Chinese vaccines in the Southeast Asia.

Sinovac coronavirus vaccines in Southeast Asia. (Review number of the original map: GS(2016)2962, Ministry of Natural Resources of the People's Republic of China)

Indonesia

Indonesian President Joko Widodo received the first shot of Chinese Covid-19 vaccine on live TV, Jan. 13, 2021, marking the beginning of Southeast Asia’s largest rollout. Indonesia became the first country to use CoronaVac for mass vaccination outside of China.It is known that Indonesia has ordered 125.5 million doses of Sinovac vaccines, which will make up for 40% of Indonesia’s vaccine supply.

“Vaccine is important in breaking the chain of the Covid-19 transmission and protect our health,” Indonesian President said after getting the first jab. Joko Widodo also showed his confidence in the vaccine developed by China’s Sinovac, as he became the first major world leader to publicly receive it, in an effort to clear up the skepticism over the vaccine.

Covid-19 vaccines developed by China’s Sinovac Biotech. (Sun Wentan/Guangming Picture)

Philippines

Philippines is in preparation to vaccinate a fourth of its population next year, demanding roughly 50 million vaccine shots at least. Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has affirmed trust in China and has set preference for Chinese vaccine by buying 25 million doses from the Sinovac Biotech, the first batch of which is due to arrive in February.

Besides, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi promised on Jan. 16, 2021 during a trip to Manila that China would donate 500,000 Covid-19 vaccine shots to the Philippines, Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs stated.

Malaysia

Malaysia confirmed the order of 14 million Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine doses on Jan. 12, 2021, given that the country prepares to secure enough coronavirus vaccines for 80% of its population, covering 26.5 million people.

Covid-19 vaccines developed by China’s Sinovac Biotech. (He Jianghua/Guangming Picture)

Thailand

Thailand plans to inoculate about half of its population by 2022, starting from next month with 200,000 doses of the Sinovac Biotech vaccine, allowing immediate inoculating for people with the highest risks to be infected in the country amid a resurgence of the coronavirus outbreak.

According to Thailand’s Health Ministry, Thailand will receive China’s Sinovac Biotech vaccines in three batches. The first batch of 200,000 doses will arrive in February, following by a second batch of 800,000 coming in March, and another 1 million doses in April.

Cambodia

Cambodia’s premier announced on Jan. 15, 2021 that China has offered to donate 1 million doses of Sinovac coronavirus vaccine. “Friend China is helping us with one million doses,” Cambodia’s premier Hun Sun said in an audio message on his official Facebook page, which will vaccinate 500,000 people.

Screenshot of the official Facebook page of Cambodia’s premier Hun Sun, announcing that to create faith in vaccines, he would be the first in Cambodia to take Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine.

On Jan. 17, Cambodia’s premier Hun Sun announced that to create faith in vaccines, he would be the first in Cambodia to take Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine.

Myanmar

The Embassy of Myanmar in Beijing, China announced on Dec. 31, 2020 that after 31 meetings with China’s Foreign Ministry, Sinapharm, Sinovac and other vaccine research institutions, Myanmar would likely receive Chinese Covid-19 vaccines in early 2021.

On Jan. 12, 2021, China promised to back Myanmar with 300,000 free vaccines in its fight against the Covid-19, as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi wrapped up a two-day visit to Myanmar.

[责任编辑: WXY ] 游戏网

相关下载

---