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Coronavirus vaccine: Asia-Pacific countries tread cautiously in roll-out
- Authorities across the region have set out conservative timetables for starting immunisations, ranging from several weeks to the latter half of 2021
- Singapore was quick to approve Pfizer-BioNTech shot, but there are fears lower-income countries in the region are already being left behind
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This is the ninth story in a series on the Covid-19 disease, one year after it first emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Here, we look at the challenges facing countries as they attempt not only to procure trusted vaccines for desperate populations, but also to implement efficient immunisation programmes. Please support us on our mission to bring you quality journalism.
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From Manila to New Delhi and Tokyo, authorities in the Asia-Pacific are making cautious preparations for a historic roll-out of vaccines for Covid-19.
While several have proved effective in late-stage trials – including the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine already in use in the United States, Britain and Canada – regulatory authorities across the region are treading carefully, with timetables ranging from several weeks to the latter half of next year.
In Japan, where immunisations are not expected to begin until late February, the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency has stressed the need to collect data on Japanese subjects instead of just relying on the results of trials overseas.
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Poor countries said to be left behind in Covid-19 vaccine race as rich nations get first doses
Poor countries said to be left behind in Covid-19 vaccine race as rich nations get first doses
In Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has ruled out any rush to authorise the Pfizer-BioNTech jab when the country has a “front-row seat” to watch developments in Britain and the US, and there should be “absolute full confidence” in any vaccine.
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Vietnam, one of Asia’s major success stories with just 35 Covid-19 deaths, has vowed to prioritise virus-containment efforts, and has registered for vaccines from Russia and Britain.
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