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China was the world’s biggest Covid-19 vaccine exporter. Not any more

  • Shipments have dropped off this year and Chinese vaccines no longer make up the bulk of supplies in low- and middle-income countries
  • That is partly to do with the availability of other vaccines with better efficacy data, analysts say, but it’s also because there is less demand

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Illustration: Perry Tse
Six months ago, China was the biggest exporter of Covid-19 vaccines to developing countries. That was partly down to its huge production capacity, but also because other major vaccine manufacturing countries were less focused on exports.
Most of the Chinese vaccines were supplied through bilateral commercial deals and priority was given to Asia, where Beijing wants to expand its soft power. But China also ramped up donations from late last year – either through bilateral arrangements or the World Health Organization-backed Covax Facility – as the United States too began to donate more doses after its domestic needs were met.
Workers handle a shipment of donated Sinovac doses in Pasay City, the Philippines in December. Photo: Xinhua
Workers handle a shipment of donated Sinovac doses in Pasay City, the Philippines in December. Photo: Xinhua

But this year, the picture has changed. China’s vaccine exports – both commercial deals and donations – have dropped sharply since January. 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.

One reason for this is the availability of other vaccines with better efficacy data than the Chinese ones, according to analysts. 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.

All of this is affecting China’s vaccine diplomacy, analysts say.

Why the sudden drop in exports?

According 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. 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.

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