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Lately there has been a lot of news about the progress of the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccine from the two big American pharmaceutical companies, Pzifer and Moderna. Not surprisingly, the mainstream media behave as if these are the only two vaccine options available in the world and give them preferential coverage. However, like the progress these companies have made, several Chinese companies are also moving forward with third-stage clinical trials of a coronavirus vaccine.
These include SinoVac, CanSino, and SinoPharm. Although they have not released their results to market their products in the way that the two US companies have, it has nevertheless been reported that trials of these vaccines have yielded positive results, have had no adverse effects and due to different methodologies, do not require to be frozen. at extreme temperatures to facilitate distribution.
Despite the media bias, these vaccines are the products that the majority will receive in the world, especially outside the Western world, where established companies constitute a monopoly. Many countries have already ordered large quantities of Chinese vaccines to diversify their options from Western dependence and overcome climatic hurdles, and for their competitive affordability.
Some are also being donated through a subsidized program, Covax through WHO. Countries that have ordered vaccines made in China so far include Indonesia, Brazil’s Sao Paulo province (despite central government disruptions), Mexico, Malaysia (donation), Turkey and the Philippines. The scope of countries to receive donations from Beijing is also likely to increase as China intensifies its multilateral cooperation to combat Covid-19.
Overcome prejudice
It is unfortunate that there are some voices in the West who do not take China’s progress on Covid-19 very seriously. It comes from a mix of both cultural and political prejudices. First, some Westerners are prejudiced in believing that Chinese products are inferior or inferior in quality, especially in sensitive areas such as medicine, where many mistakenly associated the Covid-19 outbreak with a “cultural inferiority” or a “game of guilt “. This also plays on the notion of political and ideological distrust; The idea that China’s product is “inferior” again due to bad regulations and alleged dishonesty by the authorities.
However, in practice, China’s vaccines have been given the green light by independent regulators in all the countries that have tested and purchased them. There is no country that has purchased the product without first having to grant it regulatory approval. This is logical and common sense. While Brazilian President Jair Bolosanaro tried to use the aforementioned Sinophobic talking points to disrupt SinoVac’s trials in his country, external regulators gave the green light for them to resume, as the accusations against him were unfounded and politicized. .
Why China’s vaccine is important
Therefore, despite those who try to discredit it, vaccines from China are a popular choice because they are affordable and can be distributed in a larger and more efficient capacity. For countries with fewer resources and harsher conditions, this is very important. Take, for example, Indonesia. The island nation has ordered more than 430 million doses from the top three Chinese companies.
Let’s consider the circumstances behind the Indonesian election. First, the country has limited resources and development. Second, it has a population of more than 267 million people. Third, it has a tropical climate with heat and humidity throughout the year. In that sense, how can Indonesia not only pay, but then distribute an expensive American product that must be kept below -70 degrees Celsius? China is the only realistic option.
And in that vein, many countries facing similar financial, demographic and climate hurdles are likely to see China’s vaccines as the obvious choice. That does not mean that it will be the only country they will do business with, as many of the countries have more than one partner.
However, Chinese vaccines have a competitive advantage in price and production capacity, allowing developing countries a route to escape the pandemic as quickly as possible. Unlike American firms, it is not just about business; China has also pledged to donate billions of vaccines. Malaysia has signed up to become the first such recipient under WHO’s Covax program, and of course there will be more.
Given this, ignore the synophobic talking points, China’s vaccines are gaining international momentum and a growing number of countries are lining up to buy them. While Moderna and Pzifer’s achievements are widely praised, in the end these companies only complete part of the puzzle to end the Covid-19 crisis. Not everyone has the privilege or the infrastructure to buy them. Therefore, the achievements of SinoVac, CanSino and SinoPharm are destined to play a pivotal role in making a difference for billions of people around the world.
CGTN
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