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We have recently received a succession of good news about research and development of vaccines for the new coronavirus. Several international pharmaceutical companies have announced the results of phase 3 clinical trials, with the effectiveness of some vaccines reaching or exceeding 90%.
Five Chinese vaccines are in phase 3 clinical trials in other countries, and some have already been approved for emergency use in China. According to previous statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 190 vaccine candidates are being developed around the world. Humanity is in the bright dawn of a victory over the Covid-19 pandemic.
Today, the virus is still spreading globally and has caused several waves of disruption in the global economy. A vaccine is the only hope to end the pandemic. Time is of the essence, although we must ensure the safety and efficacy of all vaccines. Every day, before we can use the vaccine, China and the world can save thousands of lives and reduce economic and social losses.
On the issue of epidemic prevention and control, humanity has formed a community with a shared future. However, it is regrettable that, with some spontaneous and sporadic exceptions, the international community has not cooperated in vaccine research and development in a conscious and concerted manner.
Going forward, countries must take a global perspective on large-scale selection, production and use of vaccines, and consider their efficacy and availability rather than erecting barriers. The pandemic that has been raging for a year has deeply taught humanity how important it is to seek the truth and be pragmatic.
China’s attitude towards international cooperation on the vaccine is very clear. The Chinese government has repeatedly emphasized that it is willing to strengthen cooperation with other countries in the development, production and distribution of vaccines. Once China’s research and development for the vaccine is completed and put into use, it will be used as a global public product. to achieve the accessibility and affordability of vaccines in developing countries. Therefore, it is logical that China also has the need and the right to share the results of the world’s most effective vaccine research in accordance with international standards.
In short, research, development and use of vaccines in China will certainly form a dual circulation model based on domestic applications with both domestic and international mutual promotion.
China’s international cooperation in vaccine research and development can be roughly summarized as “go out” and “bring in.” As one of the first countries to carry out vaccine research and development, five technical routes, including inactivated vaccines, have sought cooperation with foreign entities, carried out joint scientific research and clinical trials with many international organizations and countries, and they have confirmed the results at the local level. . Several countries have already negotiated orders.
In addition, the progress made in international vaccine research and development also contains results from Chinese companies. Strengthening international cooperation is also a unique opportunity for related Chinese companies to broaden their horizons, improve their strength and shape their global image.
Research and development of vaccines in various countries must manage the relationship between competition and cooperation. It is undeniable that there is indeed a competitive side to catching up with the research of others.
However, no matter which type of vaccine is first used on a large scale, it is a boon to humanity. There are no legal and political barriers to the use of foreign vaccines in China, but officials, companies and the public must adjust their mindset. The WHO has repeatedly called for, and for good reason, efforts to avoid “vaccine nationalism.”
We hope that the huge investments in research by Chinese companies will pay off as soon as possible. This simple emotion is completely understandable, but it should all serve the general epidemic prevention situation. Given China’s limited vaccine production capacity, more foreign vaccines are likely to be used initially.
China’s disease prevention and control measures are effective and its economy has been among the first to recover. However, it continues to fight under tremendous pressure from the global pandemic.
Recently, there have been locally transmitted Covid-19 cases in Shanghai, Tianjin, Manzhouli, and other places. China should establish and improve the rules for the supply and distribution of vaccines. The intellectual property rights of vaccines belong to the companies that develop them and the exchange of results must comply with commercial rules. For Chinese vaccines to become a global public product, they will need clear national policies and effective international cooperation to set rules.
It is true that the real world is not flat. At least in the early stage, vaccines are likely to be in short supply. Statements made by individual leaders of major powers that vaccines should have priority use in their own countries have raised concern around the world.
This attitude is reasonable from a purely domestic perspective in the sense that it pleases the voters, but it is still too narrow. If we proceed in this way, some countries may buy vaccines that far exceed the size of the population, while some countries may not have enough vaccines or simply cannot afford them. If vaccines are not available in poor countries and regions, how can we end global disease prevention and control?
Global cooperation is not an empty proclamation, but an operational platform. In October, China formally joined Covax and clearly supported the participation of Chinese research companies. Covax, which is currently the most influential platform of its kind, was jointly started by the WHO; Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). Its goal is to accelerate the development and production of Covid-19 vaccines, coordinate their global distribution, and ensure that all countries and regions can source them equitably.
Today, more than 180 countries and regions around the world have joined Covax, representing more than 90% of the world’s population. Yet the United States, which has the world’s strongest vaccine research, development and production capabilities, refused to join on the grounds that it is run by the WHO, which the Trump administration has repeatedly claimed is unduly influenced by. China.
People from all walks of life hope that US President-elect Joe Biden will change the US government’s line on international vaccine cooperation. If China and the US can work together, either by sharing information or conducting joint scientific research, it will reinvigorate disease prevention and control globally.
In the arduous battle against Covid-19, we can only save ourselves by saving all of humanity. Seventeen years ago, in a joint action coordinated by WHO, scientists from several countries worked together to address the SARS outbreak. Unfortunately, this scene has not been repeated this time.
Countries have paid a high price for it. Covid-19 will not be the last pandemic facing humanity. Only by repairing the situation, seriously reflecting on our suspicions, attacks and wrong divisions, and getting back on the right path of global cooperation, can humanity overcome this virus and face the next unforeseen pandemic.
Contact translator Matthew Walsh ([email protected]) and editor Michael Bellart ([email protected])
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