Times of India. Read the original article here.
NEW DELHI: Amid widespread criticism for its mishandling of the Covid-19 outbreak, China has been trying hard to change the global narrative with “vaccine diplomacy”. However, lack of public data about its Covid vaccines, promising alternatives and a snub by some Asean members have signalled that most of the world may choose not to tread the ambitious “health silk road” laid by China.
The first hiccup came recently when questions arose over the efficacy of China’s frontrunner vaccine candidate following initial clinical trials.
Moreover, Chinese drugmakers are facing criticism for not publicising clinical data of the vaccine studies and pressure is mounting on them to show proof that the candidates are indeed effective.
Thailand and the Philippines have recently signed deals to procure millions of doses of the vaccine developed by Astra Zeneca in collaboration with Oxford University. Similarly, Malaysia has signed an agreement with US-based Pfizer to obtain 12.8 million doses for 20 per cent of its population.
Brazil which has the third-highest number of cases in the world is also taking a cautious approach with the Chinese vaccine. President Jair Bolsonaro, a strident China critic, has openly attacked the vaccine for lacking credibility and it remains unclear whether the Federal government will include it int its national inoculation programme.
India offers hopes
Even as China faces hurdles in its attempts to grab the vaccine market, India’s “pharmadiplomacy” is offering hope to several nations around the world.
In his address at the UN General Assembly, PM Modi had said that India’s vaccine production capacity will be used to help all humanity in fighting the COVID-19 crisis. The government has allowed drugmakers to export some of the vaccines after they’re approved for production.
AstraZeneca has signed a deal with Serum of Institute of India for the production of its Covid vaccine candidate, which will also be exported to other nations in Asia and Africa.
Serum has already signed a pact to provide 3 crore doses to Bangladesh. Meanwhile, during his recent visit to Nepal, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said India will meet the vaccine requirements of Nepal once it ramps up production.