Global politics is now familiar with several new words following the Covid-19 pandemic, among which one new term is “vaccine diplomacy.” Diplomacy is an English word, which originated from the Greek word “Diploun” which means folding.
It is quite conceivable that diplomacy is such a relationship that is traditionally kept in a folder without being opened. To unveil the artifice of diplomacy, Winston Churchill, the erstwhile premier of England, opined: “Diplomacy is such an art, by which when you invite someone to make a journey to hell, he will willingly ask you the address to get there.”
Diplomacy is a very ancient concept that proceeded at an equal pace with the development of the idea of a state. Vaccine diplomacy is being heard worldwide nowadays. From the humanitarian perspective, many countries have extended a helping hand to the most affected countries. And through this, the amazement of vaccine diplomacy continues to spread all along.
Just another race
A few days ago, China and Russia were behind in this diplomacy race. India’s position in the vaccine race in South Asia was eye-catching. Except for Pakistan, India had given the vaccine to all South Asian countries -- to some extent, as gifts too.
The vaccine diplomacy of India was a hot topic of discussion to others. Suddenly, a topsy-turvy coronavirus situation badly grabbed India as the infection rates and death toll started rising in huge numbers since March 2021, compared to those of other countries of the world.
In the meantime, China and Russia appeared, taking the wheel from India to snap the existing diplomatic field and control the vaccine source. Russia took on the initiative to supply vaccines to 70 countries, while China plans to include 90 countries in its vaccine supply chain.
The Sputnik of Russia, the Sinovac of China, and the Pfizer of the US -- three vaccine manufacturers -- are engaged in producing and developing supply channels in and outside their respective countries. Both Russia and the US are highly interested in investing in the corona vaccine in India.
China is already in talks with other South Asian countries. France, Russia, and the US have already delivered the necessary equipment and tools to India. Though the US did not respond immediately to help India at the beginning of its unrestrained corona shock since there was a conflict between the two countries on India’s purchase of S-400 missiles from Russia.
On the other hand, India’s relation with China is critical, and very recently, it deteriorated for joining QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue). Global politics is quite unpredictable, and it is challenging to assess which country will finally take the lead on a unanimous global issue.
Change is swift
A few days ago, the “AstraZeneca” vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India was considered a soft power to make a strong network with other countries. Now this country is in serious trouble due to the unprecedented shock caused by the new wave of Covid. India is now far away from the race to become a world power for the Covid vaccine.
To combat Covid, China is currently the most advanced and successful in dealing with it. The Guardian recently opined that the lockdown practice implemented by China was extremely harsh, but ultimately, it has been proven to be effective and worth it for the Chinese.
China’s economy has hardly been affected following the deadlier subsequent waves of the pandemic that prevailed in many countries. In terms of corona diplomacy, China is now heading actively towards strengthening its position in South Asian countries in the absence of India.
Bangladesh has also shown keen interest in manufacturing the vaccines of China and Russia -- it has an in-built infrastructure with existing medicine production plants in many of its pharmaceutical companies.
Therefore, it can be forecasted that China and Russia, though competitors to each other, will be advancing in the vaccine business, keeping other parties behind. The United Kingdom and the European Union are still lagging in vaccine diplomacy with the rest of the world.
China has already formed a “storage platform” referring to the “Emergency Vaccination Storage Facility for Covid-19 for South Asia” to face a corona-like disaster. This platform is a collaboration where six South Asian countries -- China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the Maldives -- have joined and held a meeting on vaccine-related essential issues.
The six countries agreed to work together to keep the required stock of medicine, including most notably, corona vaccine, to respond for post-corona poverty elimination, where required, and how to ease people’s lives through e-commerce facilities. This alliance has set a precedent that the import of medical instruments by any member country will require prior approval of other members.
The World Bank has already provided $500 million to Bangladesh to help with vaccinating its population. Moreover, Bangladesh was also given a loan of $1.5bn for recovering the post-corona-affected economy. In the present situation, the World Bank pledges to extend financial support of $2bn to 17 countries, including Bangladesh, to ensure the procurement and supply of Covid-19 vaccine for those countries.
More questions than answers
The role of diplomacy is infinite in the selection of vaccines.
There are some basic questions frequently raised in people’s minds regarding which vaccine has more efficacy, which is safe for people, if there is adequate supply or availability of the vaccine, etc. So instead of depending heavily on good friendship with a country, Bangladesh should keep the interest of its people and ensure that they are vaccinated -- provided all the questions above are met.
Bangladesh had an enormous scope and potential to become a vaccine-producing country. But in the beginning, we could not search out all other alternatives and scrutinize our capacity. Though it is a bit late, we finally could understand the insides behind the global vaccine business of others. It is now time for Bangladesh to not be silly again, and instead explore the best alternatives to ensure vaccines for the people.
On the other hand, maintaining quality for vaccines is equally essential. So, Bangladesh must have a robust vaccine infrastructure and distribution network. After months of the vaccination campaign, Bangladesh administered about 9.5 million doses -- against its target of around 265 million doses. A survey from Brac University identified that vaccine cold-chain infrastructure in Bangladesh is yet to develop.
The government needs to pay more attention to ensuring an increased amount of vaccine stock.
Undoubtedly, this would be challenging to ensure at the peripheral or rural level. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) will have to think of this issue with priority, without wasting time, and it is vital to respond to this emergency issue now.
As the vaccine crisis continues, the second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine is not yet ensured for millions of people who took the first dose some months ago. China has already provided 500,000 doses of their vaccine as a gift to us, and Bangladesh has resumed the vaccine program again with the supply of China.
Our government is lobbying vigorously to procure the best quality vaccine for the people. The PM has already sanctioned Tk10,000 crore to procure vaccines. So, by and large, it brings some light that all the country’s people could be brought under the vaccination program shortly.
Md Ziauddin Iqbal is a Policymaker of a reputed Development Organization. Email: iqbal.ziauddin1998@gmail.com. Mst Marium Begum is a Senior Lecturer, Department of Pharmacy, East West University and a Registered Pharmacist. Email: mrb@ewubd.edu.