COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution in Africa Presents China With a Golden Geopolitical Opportunity

The same week that 100,000 doses of Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Africa for the first time, news emerged from the World Health Organization that its Covax vaccine alliance is in trouble.

Reuters reported that a lack of funds, supply risks, and complex contractual arrangements are all endangering Covax’s plan to provide vaccines to up to 20% of a country’s population, prompting growing concern that people in poor and middle-income countries will have to wait for two, three, possibly four years longer than residents in wealthier countries.

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by Eric Olander

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