How China’s Covid-19 self-reliance medical goal could lose momentum as cases dwindle

While the next wave of the disease is predicted to be far less severe, experts are calling for more locally developed mRNA vaccines and antivirals to be approved

Focus on the elderly, children and people with chronic diseases as the groups most likely to bear the brunt of future outbreaks

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There are calls for China to speed up approvals of domestically developed mRNA vaccines and treatments for Covid-19. Photo: AFP

Published: 12:00pm, 2 Apr 2023Updated: 12:00pm, 2 Apr 2023

China could have a six-month window to roll out home-grown mRNA Covid-19 vaccines and antiviral treatments, but experts are concerned that momentum could falter.

The massive winter outbreak – which affected 80 per cent of the population – began to stabilise in late January, according to the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, which has reported 3,000 to 8,000 daily cases in the past two weeks.

Experts say another wave is unlikely for at least six months – and predict it will be much less severe – but approvals should be given for more effective and lasting antiviral drugs and mRNA vaccines.

Covid-19 prevention remains high on China’s agenda this year, with authorities continuing to stress control of the disease while pushing economic recovery.

Liu Guozhong, the vice-premier responsible for public health, last week told the State Council workforce to “prepare early” for the five-day labour holiday in May and “guard against disease clusters”.

No details were provided on what measures might be included in the preparations, but the plan set out at the annual “two sessions” political meeting in early March highlighted the elderly, children and people with chronic diseases as key groups for protection.

How China’s Covid-19 self-reliance medical goal could lose momentum as cases dwindle

While the next wave of the disease is predicted to be far less severe, experts are calling for more locally developed mRNA vaccines and antivirals to be approved Focus on the elderly, children and people with chronic diseases as the groups most likely to bear the brunt of future outbreaks

While the next wave of the disease is predicted to be far less severe, experts are calling for more locally developed mRNA vaccines and antivirals to be approved

Focus on the elderly, children and people with chronic diseases as the groups most likely to bear the brunt of future outbreaks