Pt. 3 - Did COVAX create national security issues for the US
China and Russia developed COVID vaccines. What conditions did they demand from countries that received them?
When COVAX was formed in the early fall of 2020, the plan established to purchase and distribute COVID-19 vaccines to low income countries who were financially restricted to enter into purchase agreements with vaccine manufacturers.
The idea was Moderna, Pfizer, and Astra Zeneca to produce enough vaccines to supply the world’s demand.
Soon after the announcement of COVAX receiving donations from the US, Canada, the UK and European Union, news came forth that the vaccine supply was greatly over estimated.
Drafts of press conference statements started to blame the rich countries for being first in line for vaccines.
Then reports of blood clotting and other medical conditions from the Astra Zeneca vaccine forced several European countries to halt vaccination campaigns until further inspection of injury claims.
Because of the AZ vaccine suspension, COVAX and other countries were forced to make some difficult decisions to suspend their own vaccination campaigns.
Waiting in the tall grass, China with its vaccines, Sinovac and Sinopharm had some previous delays with foreign vaccine regulators, was now ready to ship. Putin and Russia, proudly wanting to demonstrate to the world they can produce a vaccine, offered up Sputnik V.
By Labor Day 2021, China has been able to deliver over 1.1 billion doses to over 100 countries. Figures for Russia are not available.
Some discussion by international talking heads of what type of agreements would be made by China and the receiving country. Could China or Russia make some moves into Mexico, Central America, South America? Or will vaccine diplomacy soften up unfavorable relationships and providing China an international soft power boost?
Interesting development by many countries who have been critical of China. They started to ship “surplus” supply directly to COVAX and low income countries directly. This includes the US, Canada and the UK.
Did they recognize the potential security risks by some of our neighbors such as Mexico, Central America and countries in the Middle East and southeast Asia?
I had a conversation with an old friend who now works in the US Embassy in Mexico City. My friend did confirm concerns have been forwarded to the State Department about the China and Russia vaccine deals. Nothing more could be shared. Sounds like a lot more that cannot be said in public.
Maybe something there, maybe not. Mainstream media has not reported on the subject. Maybe they can not find sources. Will keep an eye on this for the future.
In Part 4 of this series, I will try to uncover the lack of reporting data of injury petitions and claims filed in the COVAX Injury Compensation Program.
Keep learning, keep challenging yourself and always, always question authority.
Have a good day.