Vaccine passport: WHO is reluctant but there’s hope China can be a pathfinder
Liu Caiyu Published: Apr 07, 2021 09:35 PM
Passengers scan health code at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport after landing in October. Photo: cnsphoto
China and its partners that are promoting regional health code recognition can be pathfinders for a global vaccine passport program in the future, Chinese experts said, adding that although WHO had reservations over vaccine passports, China s efforts do not conflict with WHO s stance.
China s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday that China and South Korea will coordinate and establish a mechanism for the mutual recognition of their health codes, in a move that would help further normalize bilateral business and tourism activities.
CHINA / SOCIETY
By Cui Fandi and Leng Shumei Published: Apr 03, 2021 10:10 PM
A box of China s Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine is seen in Budapest, Hungary, Feb. 28, 2021. Photo:Xinhua
China National Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. (Sinopharm) announced on Saturday that the COVID-19 vaccine produced by its Beijing institute has been issued a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certificate by Hungarian authorities, marking the first for a Chinese COVID-19 vaccine receiving such a certificate from an EU country and a step forward for Chinese vaccines to become a global public goods.
Vaccine experts pointed out that the issuance of this certificate will greatly enhance the competitiveness of China-produced vaccines in Europe and the confidence of small European countries in Chinese vaccines given the uneven distribution of vaccines in Europe.
China and Russia to ensure global access to Covid-19 vaccines russiaherald.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from russiaherald.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Europe should consider using Chinese vaccines, Chinese experts said, following at least nine European Union (EU) countries suspension of AstraZeneca s COVID-19 vaccine after serious adverse events were found. At the same time, Europe is facing a shortage of vaccine supplies, another challenge to the ambitious - 70 percent adult inoculation rate by the end of summer.