Little trust in Chinese vaccines, India set to benefit

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 8

India senses an opportunity to fill the vacuum caused by decreasing trust in Chinese vaccines, especially in some key South Asian countries.

Sinovac may be a costly option

• There are ongoing studies of the efficacy rate, but Sinovac may be losing the race to others on both effectiveness and smooth supply chain
• Sources say Sinovac will also lose out on cost-effectiveness once India-made vaccines priced at around $10 will compete with Chinese offerings at close to $40

Malaysia. Indonesia and Thailand are increasingly looking at alternatives after losing trust in Chinese vaccines, say highly placed sources and India along with its vaccine partners is ready to fill the breach. There are ongoing studies of the efficacy rate, but Sinovac may be losing the race to others on both effectiveness and a smooth supply chain.

Sources said Sinovac would also lose out on cost-effectiveness once India-made vaccines priced at around $10 will compete with Chinese offerings at close to $40.

Besides multiple production centres for the Russian Sputnik vaccine, the government is pursuing manufacturing facilities of Pfizer, J&J and Moderna vaccines. It is not clear if the western vaccines will be part of the Quad initiative, but are planned to cover future requirements such as boosters and single shots.

“We are part of the discussions with major vaccine manufacturers,” Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla had said at a recent WHO interaction. Malaysia has decided to stop administering the Sinovac vaccine on efficacy issues. Indonesia may give booster shots to health workers inoculated with Sinovac.