The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros, said recently that the COVID-19 Vaccine Implementation Plan (COVAX) launched by WHO, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, etc. is expected to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to countries and regions that have joined the plan from February.
In view of the current global “vaccine shortage”, WHO plans to approve emergency use authorizations for several coronavirus vaccines, including Chinese vaccines, in the coming period, so that they can be quickly launched to poorer countries.
At the same time, China’s efforts to provide vaccines as public products to relevant national and regional organizations bilaterally and multilaterally have been praised.
The global distribution of vaccines is unfair, and the WHO urgently needs Chinese vaccines to “save the field”.
The COVID-19 Vaccine Implementation Program (COVAX) aims to provide at least 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine to all countries that are acced to the program by the end of 2021, of which at least 1.3 billion doses will be distributed to poorer countries.
At present, only the Pfizer vaccine jointly developed by the United States and Germany has been authorized by WHO for emergency use.
However, with the vaccination process in some countries and regions, the shortage and unfair distribution of vaccines are becoming more and more serious.
According to WHO data, at least 49 high-income countries have been vaccinated with more than 39 million doses of COVID-19, while one lowest-income country has received only 25 doses.
Reuters quoted WHO Assistant Director-General Simang on the 23rd as saying that in order to solve the global “vaccine shortage”, WHO plans to start to consider authorizing the emergency use authorization of several coronavirus vaccines, including Chinese national medicine and Kochen vaccines in the coming week to meet the urgent needs of poor countries.
China first promised to use its own vaccine as a global public product, and officially joined the COVID-19 Vaccine Implementation Plan (COVAX) on October 8 last year, providing strong support for global anti-epidemic cooperation.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying said again at a regular press conference recently that China actively supports Chinese vaccine companies to participate in the COVAX program and promote the equitable distribution of vaccines worldwide.
Hua Chunying: “As far as I know, Chinese enterprises such as Chinese medicine, Kexing and Kangxino have officially submitted applications for joining to the sponsors of the (COVID-19 vaccine) implementation plan, and the Chinese government has also maintained close communication with WHO and other sponsors.
In a word, China is willing to continue to work with all parties to promote the equitable distribution of global vaccines and work together to help the global unity and fight against the epidemic.
More than 40 countries put forward demand, and Chinese vaccines may become the “lifeline” of developing countries.
According to incomplete statistics, so far, more than 40 countries have raised the demand for imported Chinese coronavirus vaccines, and some countries and regions have successively approved the registration and listing of Chinese vaccines for emergency use.
With the signing of more and more vaccine procurement agreements, the reliability of China’s vaccines and China’s promotion of international cooperation on vaccines have been highly recognized by the international community.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in a telephone conversation with Pakistani Foreign Minister Qureshi on the 21st of this month that the Chinese government has decided to provide vaccine assistance to Pakistan and actively coordinate Chinese enterprises to accelerate the export of vaccines to Pakistan.
Qureshi posted on social media that day that he was “very grateful”. He stressed that China’s technical assistance and medical expertise played a “clinical role” in Pakistan’s fight against the epidemic.
Serbian Health Minister Ronchar was vaccinated against the novel coronavirus produced by China National Pharmaceutical Group on the 19th of this month, becoming the first Chinese vaccine vaccinated in Serbia.
He highly affirmed the safety and effectiveness of China’s vaccine.
The Iraqi Ministry of Health announced on the 19th local time that it approved the emergency use of vaccines produced by China National Pharmaceutical Group in Iraq.
Gafari, a medical expert from the Iraqi Ministry of Health, said in an interview that the vaccine of China National Pharmaceutical Group is one of the best coronavirus vaccines at present and may be the only vaccine that Iraq can introduce.
Gafarí: “As a doctor, I think this vaccine is effective and helpful to us. I’ve heard and read about this vaccine, one of the best vaccines that have been developed so far in the world.”
The Chilean Institute of Public Health announced on the 20th local time that it would grant emergency license to the coronavirus vaccine developed by China Kexing Company.
Acting president of the hospital, Ericerto Garcia, said that China Kexing vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine that can effectively reduce the rate of severe infection and hospitalization.
Ereiberto Garcia: “All members of the Committee of Experts have confidence in the safety of the [Kochen) vaccine, and no one has disputed it.
The [Kochen] vaccine has proved to be safe.”
Uruguayan President La Calle announced through social media on the 23rd local time that the Ukrainian government finally chose Pfizer vaccine and China Kexing vaccine in order to vaccinate the country as soon as possible.
Previously, Indonesian President Joko, Seychelles President Ram Karawan, Turkish President Erdoğan and Vice President Oktay, Prince and Prime Minister Salman of Bahrain, Jordanian Prime Minister Hassavana and other leaders have been publicly vaccinated against China against the novel coronavirus.
The epidemic is still raging, and prevention and control have a long way to go. Against the backdrop of the rise of vaccine nationalism in Western countries and the increasing problem of unfair distribution of vaccines in the world, China’s coronavirus vaccine, as a public product, is undoubtedly highly expected.
Even the New York Times admitted in a recent article that Chinese vaccines are expected to provide a “lifeline” for developing countries that cannot afford American vaccines.
