Asian countries seek alternative sources

Several Asian countries sought alternative sources for Covid-19 inoculations after export restrictions by manufacturer India left a World Health Organization-backed global vaccine sharing programme short of supplies. 

The export curb deepens the problems facing the Covax scheme, relied on by 64 poorer countries, and adds to previous setbacks that include production glitches and a lack of funding contribution from wealthy nations. The Serum Insitute of India was due to deliver 90 million vaccine doses to Covax over March and April.

South Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam are among countries to be hit by shipment delays to vaccines they have been promised under the Covax programme.

Both the Philippines and Indonesia are currently relying heavily on vaccines from China's Sinovac Biotech to run their inoculation drives. The Philippines and Vietnam have both approved Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, along with more than 50 other countries, mainly developing nations. The Philippines expects to receive its first batch of Sputnik V in April.

Nepal yesterday said it was set to restart Covid-19 inoculations after receiving 800,000 doses of China's Sinopharm vaccine from China. 

Pakistan said it will import more coronavirus vaccines made by China's CanSino Biologics next month, equivalent to 3 million doses.