The Covid 19 Vaccine Diplomacy

If there is 1 thing that will define 2020, it is the towering achievements of few firms across the world in response to the Covid 19 Pandemic challenge with diagnostic solutions, treatment options and global manufacturing and supply chain alliances.

More than 189 countries (Including India, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Qatar, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom) are now part of COVAX, a global initiative led by the WHO, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and International Vaccine Alliance Organization Gavi. They are working with governments and manufacturers to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are available worldwide to both higher-income and lower-income countries. Notably USA is not a part of Covax project.

With more than 63.8 Million cases and 1.48 Million deaths, the 2 Asian giants (India and China) are head to head in this crisis (and opportunity).

How well has India done?

We turned out to be a large manufacturing base that is now partnering with global Pharmaceutical firms for manufacturing of their Vaccine. This is a big achievement from manufacturing perspective, kudos to Serum Institute of India and all other vaccine manufacturing facilities in India.

India also has 2 of the 144 (57 clinical trial stage and 87 in preclinical stage) vaccines in development. 

While Bharat Biotech has claimed that Covaxin is developed indigenously in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Institute of Virology (NIV), it has been speculated that this vaccines uses the technology originally developed by Jefferson Vaccine Centre (JVC), at Thomas Jefferson University. 

ZyCoV-D by Zudus Cadila developed with it's research teams in Ahmedabad India and at Etna Biotech, a Zydus Vaccine research centre in Catania, Italy is in Phase of the clinical trials.

Our manufacturing competence and facilities are worth celebrating. But in comparison with the potential for innovation and research in India, only 2 vaccine candidates in such a large country is a matter of concern. 

How well has China done?

China had an early mover advantage as the Corona Virus spread from their backyard. They also began multiple research projects very early, collaborated with 15 countries on 5 continents for large-scale clinical trials. They already have 4 vaccines approved for usage. 

As China’s need for vaccination is lower than other countries due to their control over virus spread, they are using this opportunity for closer economical tie-up by assuring the vaccine supply to these countries. This tweet by UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum receiving the Corona Virus vaccine shot developed by China's Sinopharm is a sign of increasing geopolitical influence and successful vaccine diplomacy.

Advantage China

If the Chinese vaccine is as safe as they claim it to be, very soon most of the world will again be at China’s door asking for either the vaccine or its technology. This will help China move beyond the negative image that was created as the home base of Corona Virus. Also if countries in MENA, ASEAN and LATAM region rely on Chinese vaccine, the fact that multiple doses will be required over an annual or biannual basis will need them to ally with China more than ever.

About me

My writings are based on my learning’s over last 2 decades. Happy to exchange ideas and thoughts. I write mostly about subjects related to my work but sometimes just-like-that as well. I can be reached at @AdarshNigam on Twitter or LinkedIn

#Covid #Vaccine #Diplomacy #India #China #Russia #Corona #UAE #Lockdown #Opportunity #Growth #Business #Celebrate #Leadership #AtmaNirmbharBharat #MakeInIndia #Pharma #ZydusCadila #BharatBiotech #ICMR #SreumInstituteOfIndia #SII #Sinopharm