Axios
Latin America goes to China and Russia for COVID-19 vaccines
Several countries in the Americas have received their first vaccine shipments in recent weeks – not from the local superpower or from Western pharmaceutical giants, but from China, Russia and in some cases India. Why it matters: North and South America were battered by the pandemic and recorded several of the world’s highest death toll. Few countries outside the US have the ability to produce vaccines on a large scale, and most do not have the means to buy their way to the forefront of imports. This has led to a scramble for the supply available. Keep up to date with the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Sign up for free in Chile Only (17%), USA (15%), Barbados (12%), Canada (3%), Brazil (3%), Argentina (2%), Mexico (2%), Costa Rica ( And Panama have managed to give a first dose to at least 1% of their population. The news is reported: Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador – who is “hoarding” against rich vaccine by rich countries – is expected to ask President Biden their virtual meeting Monday to share a portion of the U.S. vaccine supply with Mexico. Before the meeting, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the answer would be ‘no’, at least until all Americans have access. Canada, which bought more doses compared to its population than any other country but struggled to obtain them due to limited manufacturing capacity, received a similar response from Washington. At least ten Latin American countries have received or are expecting the Russian Sputnik V vaccine soon, while another ten doses of Sinovac or Sinopharm are expected in China. Argentina was one of the first countries in the region to start its rollout, using Sputnik V, while Chile climbed to the top of the vaccination charts using a combination of Pfizer and Sinovac, but most doses that have so far Caribbean Islands comes from India, which has become a global player in the distribution of vaccines due to its massive manufacturing capability. . New Delhi donated doses of Oxford / AstraZeneca to countries including Barbados and Dominica. Israel sent small-scale in the “vaccine diplomacy” game, sending 5,000 doses each to friendly governments in Guatemala and Honduras. Note: At least eight countries have signed bilateral transactions with Pfizer or AstraZeneca. Meanwhile, Cuba is relying on a native vaccine. Come in: While Bolivia was negotiating the purchase of 5.2 million doses of Sputnik, at $ 10 per shot, in December, the government was also in talks with Western pharmaceutical companies who ‘told our developing countries we had to wait until June, Trade Minister Benjamin Blanco told Reuters. Bolivian President Luis Arce pumped his fist on the tarmac when the first Sputnik consignment arrived. Around the same time, he was talking to Vladimir Putin about possible joint energy projects, but although Psaki warned last month that Russia and China could use vaccines to build leverage over other countries, it is Pfizer who is accused during negotiations of American countries bully. Vaccinations arriving from Russia and China are often received with great hesitation, with political leaders and TV cameras at hand. Yes, but: the shipments are often quite small. Russia has so far provided Bolivia with 20,000 doses and Paraguay with 4,000, enough to cover a fraction of 1% of their population. Both Russia and China are facing challenges with the manufacturing capability to cover their own population, let alone send doses around the world. However, the offerings of the Sinovac and Sputnik vaccines in Brazil and Sputnik in Argentina should increase supplies. It is important that the vaccines do not require cold temperatures, but especially for the Chinese vaccines, there are still questions about their effectiveness. A trial in Brazil found that the Sinovac vaccine was only 50.4% effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19, although it was more effective in preventing serious cases, and although both countries clearly won diplomatic points, many polls found that many in Latin America would be less willing to take a Russian or Chinese vaccination than a Western alternative. What to note: by the summer, the US and other rich countries are likely to be willing to share doses internationally, which will significantly shift the image of vaccine diplomacy. , which is crucial for the vaccination prospects in the Americas, will also begin to increase distribution this month. It should quickly surpass Russia and China as the largest source of vaccines in several countries. The bottom line: Moscow and Beijing may have gained lasting goodwill and influence in the region by intervening when vaccines were most scarce. Like this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free.