JAKARTA - The progress of the COVID-19 vaccine in the world is getting closer to the final. As many vaccine manufacturers are currently in the final stages of testing, the work that must start immediately is to plan a distribution of this vaccine worldwide. In Asia Pacific, including Indonesia, when will vaccines be available? And if available, what vaccines are they?
Quoted by CNA, Thursday, November 26, the vaccine manufacturer from the United States (US), Pfizer together with BioNTech, Moderna, and AstraZeneca have released trial data this month. The results show that the potential vaccine they have developed is effective at preventing COVID-19.
Furthermore, if regulators approve one vaccine in the coming weeks, distribution could begin immediately with governments around the world. Companies are optimistic about the effectiveness of vaccines. But global regulation and distribution is another matter.
Many countries around the world do not wish to receive large quantities of vaccines in the first place. We will review the estimated distribution schedule, including the supply deals announced so far, as well as the ongoing clinical trials in the region.
1. Australia
Australia has agreed to buy 135 million doses of the vaccine. The details, 34 million were purchased from AstraZeneca, 40 million from Novavax, 51 million from CSL Ltd. and the remaining ten million supplied from Pfizer.
AstraZeneca's vaccination supply appears to be at the forefront. The authorities announced January and February as the entry dates for the first supplies.
2. ChinaChina has not announced any vaccine deals with Western producers. The closest possibility is the AstraZeneca vaccine which could be approved in mid-2021.
Chinese partner, Shenzhen Kangtai Biological Products plans to ensure an annual production capacity of at least one hundred million doses of vaccine by the end of 2020. Others, Pfizer / BioNTech vaccines, which are in a working unit with Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group, have just announced plans for a phase two trial.
Tibet Rhodiola Pharmaceutical Holding brings in the Russian vaccine candidate Sputnik V and is planning an early stage trial. China has also approved three vaccine candidates developed by domestic developers, Sinovac and Sinopharm.
The two holes will be used for emergency use programs. For Sinopharm, they are currently waiting for conditional approval for general public use this year.
3. TaiwanTaiwan aims to secure around 15 million doses initially, either through the COVAX scheme or buying directly from vaccine makers.
Taiwan has also opened up the possibility of purchasing an additional 15 million doses. What is clear is that the government hopes to start vaccination in the first quarter of next year.
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4. Philippines
The Philippines is currently intensifying talks with AstraZeneca. The Philippines is targeting at least 20 million doses.
All of these doses are likely to arrive in the Philippines in the second quarter of next year. The Philippines hopes to lock in a total of 60 million doses.
Chances are, that 40 million doses shortage will be taken from Pfizer or Sinovac or maybe both. What is clear, the Philippines is also establishing communication with the two companies.
Vaccine makers can apply for approval with state regulators although no clinical trials have been conducted in the Philippines.
5. IndonesiaIndonesia is one of the countries included in the list of 92 low and middle income economies. This means that Indonesia will probably have access to vaccines through COVAX for 20 percent of its population.
That percentage equates to about 106 to 107 million doses if each vaccine recipient had two shots. Indonesia is also currently testing the Sinovac vaccine.
Indonesia is also preparing to start mass vaccination. Medical staff and other frontline workers will be prioritized by the end of January, at the earliest.
6. VietnamA government official said a vaccine from COVAX would only cover 20 percent of the population. Vietnam is likely to have a chance of getting a separate deal soon as overall demand is very high.
7. BangladeshBangladesh signed an agreement with Serum India to purchase 30 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine. Bangladesh also hopes to receive 68 million doses of GAVI at a subsidized rate, said a senior Bangladesh Ministry of Health official.
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