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SEOUL: Pfizer with its partner BioNTech, Moderna, and AstraZeneca released trial data this month showing that their experimental vaccines are effective in preventing disease.
If regulators approve any of the vaccines in the coming weeks, the companies have said distribution could begin almost immediately with governments around the world.
But many Asian countries do not expect to receive large quantities initially, and below are the estimated delivery times, the supply agreements announced so far, and the ongoing clinical trials in the region.
AUSTRALIA
It has agreed to purchase 135 million doses: 34 million from AstraZeneca, 40 million from Novavax, 10 million from Pfizer and 51 million from CSL Ltd.
The delivery of 3.8 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine is expected in January and February of next year.
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CHINA
China has not announced supply agreements with Western pharmaceutical companies, which have instead partnered with private companies.
AstraZeneca’s vaccine could be approved in China in mid-2021 and its Chinese partner Shenzhen Kangtai Biological Products plans to have an annual production capacity of at least 100 million doses of the vaccine by the end of 2020.
For the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine, a unit of Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group plans a phase 2 trial.
Tibet Rhodiola Pharmaceutical Holding is incorporating the Russian Sputnik V vaccine candidate and planning initial and mid-stage trials of the injection in China.
China has also approved three candidate vaccines developed by Sinovac and state-owned Sinopharm for the emergency use program, and Sinopharm is hopeful that its two candidates will receive conditional approval for general public use later this year.
JAPAN
Japan has agreements to buy 120 million doses of Pfizer / BioNTech in the first half of next year, 120 million from AstraZeneca, of which the first 30 million will be shipped in March 2021 and 250 million from Novavax.
It is also in talks with Johnson & Johnson and has an agreement with Shionogi & Co.
Experts said that vaccine manufacturers should conduct at least phase 1-2 trials in Japan before seeking approval.
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SOUTH KOREA
Its goal is to secure vaccines for 10 million people from COVAX and 20 million people from separate agreements with drug manufacturers by the end of this year.
You have an “Optional Purchase” agreement with COVAX that allows you to select vaccines from specific vaccine manufacturers.
The timing of the purchase and the quantity depend on the production schedule for those vaccines, according to health officials.
Inoculation is likely to begin in the second trimester of next year to allow more time to observe possible side effects.
INDIA
The director of the Serum Institute of India, which makes the AstraZeneca vaccine, said on November 23 that the candidate’s positive late state trial result will allow him to apply for emergency use authorization before the end of the year, before obtaining approval for a full deployment by February or March of next year.
India is also expecting a government-backed vaccine to be released starting in February, while conducting a late-stage test of Sputnik V.
TAIWAN
Taiwan is aiming to initially secure around 15 million doses, both through the COVAX scheme and by purchasing them directly from vaccine manufacturers, and can purchase an additional 15 million doses.
The government has said it expects to start vaccinations in the first quarter of next year.
THE PHILIPPINES
It is in talks with AstraZeneca for the supply of at least 20 million doses, which could reach the country in the second quarter of next year. It hopes to block 60 million doses in total and is also in talks with Pfizer and Sinovac.
Vaccine manufacturers can seek approval from the country’s regulators even if no clinical trials are conducted in the Philippines.
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INDONESIA
It is one of the countries listed as 92 low- and middle-income economies, which means that it has the right to have access to vaccines through COVAX for 20 percent of its population, or approximately 106-107 million doses if each person receives two injections.
Indonesia is testing the Sinovac vaccine and is preparing to begin mass vaccination for medical personnel and other front-line workers in late January.
VIETNAM
A government official says COVAX vaccines would cover only 20 percent of its population and the country is likely to have a chance to secure separate deals soon as overall demand is so high.
BANGLADESH
Bangladesh signed an agreement with India’s Serum to purchase 30 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
It also expects to receive 68 million doses of GAVI at a subsidized rate, said a senior Health Ministry official.
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