![china biggest exporter china biggest exporter](http://www.whatchina.cn/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/China-Top-10-Export-Countries-and-Products.jpg)
In Brazil, while Chinese vaccine exports have been small, the country has been an important base for Sinovac to expand its presence in South America through cooperation in clinical trials and production. Places that were key markets for Chinese vaccines last year - such as Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates - are now seeking to diversify their sources and buying from Western drug makers. "With low coronavirus cases in most African countries, countries are unlikely to buy Chinese vaccines as more and more other vaccines have been made available," Odubanjo said. That is the case in Africa, according to Oladoyin Odubanjo, a public health doctor and executive secretary of the Nigerian Academy of Science. But with more options now available, some countries are less likely to choose the Chinese vaccines. Many scientists and studies have suggested that while Chinese vaccines are less effective than mRNA and protein ones, they could still reduce deaths and severe illness. "As Omicron becomes the dominant global strain, it would be only natural that countries would prefer more effective vaccines in order to safeguard their populations," Thomas said. Nicholas Thomas, a professor with City University of Hong Kong, said it was clear from the vaccine approval data that "most countries around the world prefer the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines". In addition, two key buyers of Chinese vaccines - Brazil and Indonesia - have not renewed purchase deals that ended in 2021. It puts that down to an increase in exports from Pfizer and Moderna and more from India via Covax. But in the first three months this year, Pfizer for the first time surpassed Chinese drug makers as the largest supplier to low- and lower middle-income countries, with monthly shipments of 91 million doses in January, 85.7 million in February and 46.6 million in March, UN data shows.ĭata from Beijing-based Bridge Consulting, which tracks Chinese vaccine distribution overseas, also shows a significant drop in shipments from China this year. Last year, most of the Chinese vaccines went to developing countries, while mRNA vaccine makers like Pfizer and Moderna mainly supplied to wealthy nations.
![china biggest exporter china biggest exporter](https://www.countryaah.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/China-Major-Exports-730x266.jpg)
By December, shipments of commercial deals had dropped to 89 million doses but the total exports were still high at 199 million - boosted by an increase in deliveries to Covax.
![china biggest exporter china biggest exporter](https://cdn.ihsmarkit.com/www/images/0220/top-commodities-chinese-exports-3-25-february-2020.jpg)
However, a slump in vaccine exports across the board in March also points to a new situation: developing countries now have more than enough vaccines but their vaccination rates remain relatively low.Īll of this is affecting China's vaccine diplomacy, analysts say.Īccording to British analytics firm Airfinity, overseas deliveries of Chinese vaccines made by Sinopharm, Sinovac and CanSino peaked in November at 235 million doses, with 202.9 million of those commercial deals. One reason for this is the availability of other vaccines with better efficacy data than the Chinese ones, according to analysts. Chinese vaccines no longer make up the bulk of supplies in low- and middle-income countries, according to the Unicef Covid-19 Vaccine Market Dashboard and other major vaccine trackers.ĭo you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. China's vaccine exports - both commercial deals and donations - have dropped sharply since January.