South Korean Vaccine Manufacturer Says China Will Use Only Domestic Vaccines

• China is currently dealing with an influx of COVID-19 cases after it abandoned its zero-COVID policy last December.
• It hasn’t approved any mRNA vaccines yet. Officials believe that domestically-developed vaccines are effective.
• SK Bioscience claims that China is unlikely to source foreign COVID-19 vaccinations due to “national pride.”

It’s not difficult to see that China has been a major player in the world. dealing with a flood of new COVID-19 infectionsIt has been relaxed its strict zero COVID stance ever since.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean the country is likely to go sourcing much-needed COVID vaccines from external parties — the CEO of the leading vaccine producer in South Korea feels that “national pride” will keep China from sourcing foreign vaccines. 

Jaeyong Ahn was the CEO of South Korea’s SK Bioscience. Financial Times about the pharmaceutical giant’s plansHe stated that it was unrealistic for the company’s global expansion to ship vaccines from the company to China in the foreseeable future. 

SK Bioscience has its own invention COVID-19 vaccine,The vaccine is being used in South Korea. The vaccine is currently awaiting approval from the World Health OrganizationThe European Union.

Even though China is at the “heart” of the pandemic and urgently needs vaccines, “dramatic discussions” are needed before the company can supply the country. According to Anh, it’s about China’s “national pride.”

An SK Bioscience spokesperson told Insider  the company currently isn’t in discussions with the Chinese government about supplying vaccines to the country. The spokesperson stated that they are closely monitoring the situation in China regarding the pandemic.

China is racing to develop its mRNA vaccines

China — facing a deluge of new infections and suspected deaths — is ramping up vaccinations, particularly among the elderly, to get inoculated. However, Chinese authorities have yet to approve any homegrown mRNA vaccinations and have rejected US offers. BloombergAccording to reports, Saturday’s incident was reported by US officials.

“China’s vaccines, medical supplies, and overall supply are adequate” Mao Ning, spokesperson from the Chinese foreign ministry said at a scheduled press briefingFriday

Liu Pengyu was a spokesperson for China’s Embassy in Washington DC. He told reporters at a Friday briefing, that China produces more than enough vaccines to protect its domestic market. They are also as effective as mRNA vaccinations in preventing severe disease.

Liu cited University of Hong Kong studyThree doses of CoronaVac from Sinova Biotech were 97% effective against severe illness and death due to COVID-19 in people 60 years old or older.

Liu stated that China has administered over 90% of its population 3.4 billion doses COVID vaccines. “The safety and efficacy the vaccines are fully demonstrated by the resilience of the Chinese people, even in the most difficult times.”

Chinese drugmakers are still working hard to develop mRNA vaccines for COVID-19. China’s CanSino Biologics has reported “positive” interim data from clinical trials for an mRNA booster vaccine. The company stated in an anal exchange filing last Thursday.

 After three years of strict COVID-19 policy, Beijing abruptlyThe zero-COVID policy was rescinded in December. This caused a surge of infections and deaths. hospitals and funeral homes.

It is not clear how severe the epidemic has been in China, as Beijing has stopped publishing COVID numbers since December 25th. Beijing has officially reported the outbreak at 30 coronavirus deathsSince last month, the country has changed its zero COVID stance.

Airfinity, a UK data company for health, has estimated that there are approximately 500,000 people living in the UK. 9,000 are dying from COVID each day in China.