Vaccine diplomacy: Why it matters?

Researchers around the world are racing to develop a vaccine against COVID-19, with more than 170 potential vaccines in the works.

While some countries are manufacturers, others have made vaccine diplomacy as part of their strategy to be amongst the first to acquire the vaccine once it’s readily available.

Why it matters?

As manufacturing countries race to develop a vaccine against COVID-19, more and more countries are pledging billions to buy COVID-19 vaccines from vaccine makers.

Geneva-based Gavi vaccine alliance backed by World Health Organization (WHO) has created the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) facility to ensure fair global access to coronavirus vaccines with 172 countries already engaging with the facility.

That said, countries are still engaging in what is coined as “vaccine nationalism”, whereby certain countries get first-access to the vaccines based on their investments and political maneuverings.

First world countries such as the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Japan and Australia have all scored advance purchasing deals for COVID-19 vaccine which lead to a concern that other countries may be left behind in acquiring the vaccine once they are available.

Which countries are manufacturing the vaccine?

A vaccine typically takes years to develop, from testing to mass production. Scientists, however, hoped that an effective COVID-19 will be made available to the masses within 12 to 18 months.

To date, only one vaccine has been approved; Russia’s Sputnik V.

Formerly known as "Gam-COVID-Vac" and developed by Gemaleya Research Institute, the vaccine was approved by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation on 11 August, before Phase 3 trials had even begun, and will be expected to commence its first mass deliveries in September 2020.

Despite safety concerns, Russia claims that more than 20 countries have requested over 1 billion doses of vaccine.

Other notable vaccine manufacturers in phase 3 trials include:

• US - Moderna, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
• UK - University of Oxford, AstraZaneca
• China - Cansino Biological Inc, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology
• China - Wuhan Institute of Biological, Sinopharm
• China - Beijing Institute of Biological Products, Sinopharm
• China – Sinovac (sponsored by Brazil’s Instituto Butantan)

How are other countries acquiring the vaccine?

• Indonesia has secured a supply of 300 million doses of potential COVID-19 vaccine until the end of next year following ministerial visits to China and the United Arab Emirates. It has also sent out 1,620 volunteers to assist Sinovac in its phase 3 trials and has explored a partnership with Sinopharm and CanSino Biologics.

• On top of producing its own homegrown vaccine, Thailand is budgeting 600 million baht to purchase supplies of the vaccine currently being developed by Oxford University, UK.

• Bangladesh will be getting priority access from vaccine being developed in India after securing a deal with the Serum Institute of India (SII). It also made a deal with China’s Sinovac in a bid to become a priority recipient of the shot.

• Vietnam has registered to buy 50-150 million of Russia’ Sputnik V with Philippines and Israel stating similar interest in the vaccine.

• Japan has agreed with the UK’s AstraZeneca to receive 120 million doses of the vaccine developed with the University of Oxford. It has also made deals with Pfizer Inc. and its German partner BioNTech SE to receive 120 million doses of their potential vaccine

What about Malaysia?

Malaysians are more than prepared to receive a COVID-19 vaccine once its readily available.

An Ipsos survey conducted amongst 19,519 adults across 27 countries found that almost half of Malaysians (48%) believed that a vaccine will be available to them before the end of the year.

Majority of us (86%) also feel that a vaccine would be accessible to all despite socio-economic background.

That said, have we done enough to get first dibs on the vaccine?

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein has had talks with US and China.

After a phone conversation between him and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, both countries have agreed to focus efforts on the manufacturing & distribution of COVID-19 vaccine.

Malaysia and China also agreed to actively carry out vaccine cooperation as well as establish "fast lane" and "green lane" at an early date.

Earlier, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, had also discussed with his Chinese counterpart Wang Zhigang about Malaysia’s interest in securing early access to a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) declared that Malaysia along with ASEAN member countries is collaborating and supporting ASEAN’s external partners mainly China, Japan, the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong, in COVID-19 vaccine development by sharing key clinical data and reports.