China, Russia ‘ crucial vaccine contributors’

▶ Help address shortage in developing nations given absence of West

More African countries are starting to roll out COVID- 19 vaccination programs with the arrival of China- donated vaccines. Observers said that China has played a crucial role in addressing the uneven global vaccination situation, and with more Chinese vaccines making progress, the country’s production capacity can satisfy both domestic and overseas demand.

A spokesman for Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa said on Wednesday that the southern African country will buy an additional 1.2 million COVID- 19 vaccine doses from China at a preferential price, after Beijing agreed to provide more free doses.

The same day, Namibian President Hage Geingob lauded China and other countries that have extended help with donations in the form of COVID- 19 vaccines to Namibia and other African countries to improve the fight against the devastating pandemic.

Zhao Lijian, spokesperson of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on Thursday that China is providing COVID- 19 vaccine assistance to 53 countries and exporting its vaccines to 27 countries.

Chinese donated and exported vaccines have arrived in countries such as Mongolia, Egypt and Singapore.

Africa has recorded more than 100,000 COVID- 19 deaths, and it is rolling out its vaccination program after a slow start. The Lancet said in a paper that mass vaccination campaigns could begin in Africa in March, yet there are concerns over equitable access to the vaccines.

When talking to French media, Senegalese President Macky Sall said that he chose Chinese vaccines as developed countries started vaccination programs, the COVAX alliance did not have vaccines, and he could not simply wait.

Chen Xi, an assistant professor of public health at Yale University in the US, said that the vaccine shortage in developing areas is a tricky problem, especially as the Southern Hemisphere, where some of the worst- hit countries are located, is going into its winter season.

“Those countries must kick off mass inoculation programs before June and avoid any viral spread. Otherwise, the global pandemic will be prolonged.”

Chen said it is difficult to have mass vaccination programs in those countries as they are short of vaccines. “That’s why the Chinese and Russian vaccines play a key role in solving this problem.”

Experts pointed out that even if Western countries want to help, they themselves still face vaccine shortages.

Data showed that only 13.1 percent of the 330 million US population have been inoculated, and many are struggling to get second. Chen said that only after July, when about 300 million Americans get vaccinated, will the US be able to spare doses for developing countries.

It is difficult to have mass vaccination programs in those countries as they are short of vaccines. That’s why the Chinese and Russian vaccines play a key role in solving this problem. Chen Xi an assistant professor of public health at Yale University in the US