Developed Countries and Western Pharmaceutical Companies Dominate... Secured 3.7 Billion Doses
Russia Targets Asia, South America, and Middle East Struggling to Obtain Vaccines
Sputnik V Could Become Russia's Soft Power
[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Advanced countries are buying up COVID-19 vaccines in a preemptive manner, increasing anxiety among developing countries, and Russia is exploiting this gap. Russia is supplying COVID-19 vaccines that are currently undergoing clinical trials to developing countries and others.
On the 20th (local time), the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) cited Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund 'Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF)', reporting that Russia has signed preliminary agreements related to COVID-19 vaccine sales with more than 10 countries in Asia, South America, and the Middle East. Dmitriev introduced that preliminary agreements have been made with Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, India, and others regarding vaccine supply, and negotiations are ongoing with about 10 other countries. The total amount of vaccines under discussion reaches 1.2 billion doses.
Russian officials stated that the vaccine developed by Russia is planned to be supplied through overseas production processes as early as November. However, it must be approved by the health authorities of the target countries before administration.
The Russian vaccine named 'Sputnik V' completed the approval process after clinical trials involving 76 volunteers. Because it was approved without large-scale clinical trials to confirm vaccine safety and efficacy, it has been criticized for not completing the review of vaccine effectiveness or safety. In response to these criticisms, phase 3 clinical trials are being conducted with 40,000 volunteers after approval. Russia expects the clinical trials to conclude around the end of the year.
Russia has previously agreed to conduct clinical trials in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, and Belarus. Mexico has also expressed interest in the Russian vaccine and stated a desire to participate in clinical trials involving 500 to 1,000 people.
Regarding the Russian-developed vaccine, officials from the United States and the European Union Western countries have raised concerns about the clinical trial process and have stated they will not administer it to their own citizens. Amid Western neglect, Russia's vaccine is attracting interest from developing countries. The Russian government expects Sputnik V to become a means of exercising soft power.
According to WSJ, the United States, European Union, Japan, and the United Kingdom have purchased 3.7 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines from Western pharmaceutical companies. As a result, much of the global vaccine manufacturing capacity is tied up, raising concerns that developing countries may not secure the necessary vaccine quantities.
For these reasons, developing countries are seeking the Russian vaccine as their access to vaccines from advanced countries is blocked. Russia plans to produce 30 million doses of Sputnik V for its own citizens by the end of the year. Additionally, it announced plans to manufacture vaccines in countries wishing to vaccinate overseas, such as South Korea, India, and Brazil. Through this, India is expected to receive 100 million doses, and Brazil 50 million doses.
The price of the Russian vaccine has not been disclosed, but state media expect it to be at least $10 or more for two doses.
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