Mexico City.- The European Union (EU) has offered China a donation of coronavirus vaccines to try to reverse the exponential increase in cases in the country registered in recent weeks, as a result of the relaxation of the restrictions that had been imposed after the start of the pandemic.
Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health, contacted Chinese health authorities to convey the proposal. “Commissioner Kyriakides has reached out to her Chinese counterparts to offer solidarity and support, including public health expertise as well as donations of variant-adapted EU vaccines,” a European Commission official told the Financial Times under condition of anonymity.
However, from the Chinese Foreign Ministry they stated that the country does not need European vaccines due to the “strengthening of the clinical efficacy” of the drugs produced in their country, such as Sinovac and Sinopharm. “The epidemic prevention and control situation in China is on track and under control,” said ministry spokesman Mao Ning.
According to the director of emergencies of the World Health Organization, Mike Ryan, the vaccines produced in China require three doses to prevent serious cases of the disease. Two doses only provide 50% protection for those over 60 years of age. “That’s not adequate protection for a population as large as China. In such a large population, with so many people in a vulnerable environment, with that coverage, we really have to focus on vaccination,” he added.
policy change
In early December 2022, the Chinese authorities announced 10 measures that included easing coronavirus restrictions. These included reducing mandatory PCR testing requirements and allowing people who tested positive to self-quarantine at home. In addition, an appeal was made to increase vaccination, especially for those over 60 years of age.
Weeks later, infections skyrocketed to 37 million per day. In the first 20 days of December, 248 million people had been infected, a figure that represents almost 18% of the country’s population.
Due to this situation, several governments decided to require a negative PCR test for passengers arriving from China to allow them to enter their countries. Those that have put restrictions in place include the US, France, Spain, Italy, the UK, Chile, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Morocco and India.
