As the COVID-19 pandemic nudges countries to be more inward looking as they try to tame effects of the virus, bilateral relations steeped on firm foundations are slowly coming out.
This comes as countries hosting COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers are now prioritizing the needs of their populations and those of their allies much to the desperation of others.
Now, from skepticism towards the vaccines by populations to manufacturers failing to meet demand are some of the bottlenecks being faced out there.
Europe’s economic powerhouse, Germany is pleading with its people to take the AstraZeneca jab, while European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen said she would take the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine despite her furious row with the drug maker last month over missing shipments to the European Union.
That struggle is set to continue into the spring with as many as 90million doses missing from AstraZeneca shipments in the second quarter of 2021.
An EU official involved in talks with the firm says AstraZeneca has warned that it may deliver only half of its promised 180 million doses from April to June, having slowed supplies in January because of delays at a Belgian factory.
The new shortage could hamper the EU’s ability to meet its target of vaccinating 70 per cent of adults by summer – with Britain promising to offer one dose to 100 per cent by July 31.
Vaccine shortages are hitting many national programmes around the world as manufacturers ship as fast as they can, with a potential market of around 15 billion doses if the entire global population is vaccinated, and manufacturing countries tend to give priority to their own citizens.
But, with such bigger economies struggling to meet their demands, back in Southern Africa, Zimbabwe is one of the shining lights.
Her strategic alliances with China, Russia and India are proving effective.
Beginning next week, India will deliver a consignment of 75 000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines worth over US$1 million.
This puts Zimbabwe’s target to inoculate 10 million people to achieve herd immunity in good stead.
Zimbabwe has an estimated population of 16 million people.
India ambassador to Zimbabwe, Vijay Khanduja said, “I understand there is some skepticism but trials have been conducted and proven. The vaccines have been used in India to put to rest all the skepticism about the Indian vaccine.”
China, which recently delivered 200 000 vaccines to Zimbabwe, has donated a further 200 000 vaccines.
On top of that, it will now provide the 1.2 million inoculations which were purchased by Zimbabwe.
Delivery is expected in the coming weeks.
Presidential spokesperson, George Charamba said:
“Chinese pharmaceutical companies are now in a position to make available the vaccine doses which have been bought by Zimbabwe. You know there is a stampede for that vaccine worldwide and just to have that preferential treatment from the Chinese Government is in itself a major development for our country and of course a very good indication of the excellent relationship between the two countries.”
Zimbabwe; which began vaccinations last week, has so far inoculated 7 872 front-line workers including police, health professionals and journalists.
Starting Thursday, the vaccinations have been extended to any volunteers other than the initially listed essential workers.