Experts say that there is more to be done to assist countries struggling with overflowing patients and critical supplies.
The Moderna vaccine arrived in Indonesia on Thursday afternoon. It contained 1.5 million doses. This country has been a hot spot for high-infection rates and death records.
This shipment from the U.S. follows 3 million additional American doses arriving Sunday and 11.7 Million doses of AstraZeneca delivered in batches through the U.N.-backed COVAX system, which was last used earlier this week.
“It’s quite encouraging,” stated Sowmya Kadandale (UNICEF’s health chief in Indonesia), who is responsible for the distribution of vaccines through COVAX. “It appears now to be, not just in Indonesia,” said Sowmya Kadandale, UNICEF’s health chief in Indonesia. She stated that there is a race between vaccines and variants. I hope we win this race.
Many have been critical of vaccine inequalities around the world, including the World Health Organization. They point out that more than half the population of wealthy countries has had their vaccines administered to them, while most people living in low-income countries still have not received their first dose.
The International Red Cross warned of a “widening global vaccination gap” this week and advised wealthy countries to accelerate their implementation of pledges.
Alexander Matheou, Asia-Pacific director for the Red Cross, stated that the recent increase in deliveries was a “disgrace” and could not have happened sooner. “There is no such thing as too much vaccine — it’s always worth getting vaccines — but the longer the vaccines are available, the more people who will die.
As they try to control rapidly rising infections, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam have all implemented new lockdown restrictions in the last week.
South Korea, widely praised for its response to the pandemic which included extensive testing and contact tracering, has had a shortage of vaccines that has resulted in 70% of the population still waiting to get their first shot. Only 15% of Thais have received at least one shot, despite the fact that Thailand only began mass vaccination in June. Only 4% of Vietnamese have had a shot.
Matheou stated to The Associated Press that “parts of the world… are discussing reclaiming lost freedoms like going back to work, opening cinemas and restaurants.” “This area of the world is far from that.”
Indonesia began vaccinations earlier than most other countries in the region. It negotiated bilaterally with China to get the Sinovac jabs. About 14% of the country’s population, the fourth-largest in the world, has received at least one dose. This vaccine is primarily Sinovac. Many countries, including South Korea and Japan, have their own production facilities, but need to produce more vaccines to meet the huge needs of the region.
“Both Moderna’s and AstraZeneca’s efforts have been crucial in increasing these numbers and making sure that supplies are readily available,” stated UNICEF’s Kadandale. He noted that Indonesia has plans to have an additional 208.2million people vaccinated by the end of the year and that 1 million shots are being given daily. Every dose makes a difference.
There are many countries in the region with vaccination rates that are lower than Indonesia’s. This is due to a number of factors, including distribution and production issues and a wait-and-see attitude by many people early on, when there was less urgency and fewer numbers.
After witnessing the devastation caused by India’s April and May earthquakes, many were stunned and compelled to act. The country’s healthcare system was ravaged and the spike in cases led to massive deaths.
India, a major regional producer and exporter of vaccines, stopped exporting vaccines at the same time so it could concentrate on its own population.
As part of President Joe Biden’s promise to supply 80 million vaccines to Asia, the U.S. has recently sent millions of vaccines to many countries in Asia. The United States plans to donate 500 million more vaccines worldwide in the coming year and 200 million by 2021.
Scott Hartmann, a spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy Jakarta, stated that Indonesia is a crucial partner in U.S. engagements in Southeast Asia. The vaccines are free of strings. “We are doing this to save lives and end the global pandemic. Equitable global access is crucial.”
Heiko Maas, the German Foreign Minister, accused Russia and China, earlier in the week, of using their vaccine delivery for policy leverage.
He said that he had noticed, particularly with China, how the supply of vaccines was used to make very clear political demands for various countries, but did not give specific examples.
The effectiveness of China’s Sinovac vaccine to combat the delta variant is also being questioned.
Thai officials announced that booster doses will be given to AstraZeneca to those who had received two doses earlier. This was after a COVID-19-infected nurse, who had received two doses of Sinovac on Saturday, died.
WHO has authorized Sinovac for emergency use. However, Indonesia said that it is also planning boosters for health professionals using some of its newly delivered Moderna doses. This follows reports that some health workers who died in June were fully vaccinated with Chinese shot.
Pandu Riono, an epidemiologist at the University of Indonesia said that despite being vaccinated, people still experience severe symptoms and even death. It has been proven that certain vaccines can be used to combat the delta variant. Moderna, AstraZeneca and Pfizer are all capable.
Despite the fact that most recent deliveries have been from America, Japan sent 1 million doses AstraZeneca to Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam on Thursday as part of bilateral agreements. Vietnam also stated it was receiving 1.5 Million more AstraZeneca doses via Australia.
The Philippines expects 16 million doses of the drug in July. This includes 3.2 million doses from the U.S. late this week and 1.1 million from Japan. 132,000 Sputnik V pills from Russia are also expected.
Japan also sends 11 million via COVAX to Bangladesh, Cambodia and Sri Lanka this month.
Canada added 17.7 million doses to its 100 million pledged via COVAX this week. This is coordinated by Gavi, an alliance of vaccine manufacturers. France sent millions of doses this summer, having delivered 1.7 million doses in June through COVAX.
COVAX receives financial donations from individuals and organizations to help pay for the purchase of vaccines that will be distributed to low- or moderate-income countries.
It was the subject of harsh criticism by the African Union earlier this month about the time it took for vaccines to reach Africa. They also pointed out that only 1% Africans have been fully vaccinated.
Gavi stated that the Serum Institute Of India, the largest COVAX supplier, has diverted vaccine production to domestic use.
Gavi’s latest supply forecast shows that deliveries are just beginning to pick up and that they are still on track for meeting the goal of 1.5 billion doses per year. This represents 23% coverage in the lower and middle-income nations and more than 5 million doses by 2022.
Matheou, of the Red Cross, stated that it is better to concentrate on the task at hand and not hoard vaccines. “Shared vaccines make everyone safer.”
