Topic: 2025 – Vaccine Access and Distribution
Country: China
Delegate Name: Jasmine Mand
World Health Organization
Vaccine Access and Distribution
People’s Republic of China
Jasmine Mand
Forest Hills Eastern
After the COVID-19 pandemic, the issues of vaccine distribution and equity have become increasingly significant. Over 20 million infants currently lack adequate access to vaccines. Challenges such as cold chain logistics, insufficient healthcare infrastructure, and the influence of wealthy countries on vaccine distribution create barriers for developing nations. Furthermore, many vaccines must be stored at extremely low temperatures, which complicates matters for these countries that lack the necessary infrastructure. Additionally, there are common chemical pathways in which the ionic barrier of vaccines can be disrupted. The World Health Assembly has endorsed the Immunization Agenda for 2030 (IA2030) over the next 10 years to save 50 million lives. The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) goals would like to enable data for action purposes, and the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) also calls for accelerated action and stronger partnerships. Over the last years, China was found with the first variant of COVID-19. Through Vaccine Diplomacy, China administered 3.4 billion vaccines and donated 328 million to 80 countries in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
China deeply recognizes this issue and is committed to global cooperation to help transport vaccines. Vaccine distribution, particularly in China, was a big success as they became the world’s most prominent manufacturers and donors. However, in the long term, people became hesitant to take a vaccine since there were many variants of the virus. Companies like Sinovac and Sinopharm used traditional inactivated virus technology compared to the advanced mRNA one. The government of China mandated that all COVID-19 vaccines would be free for civilians, ensuring no financial barrier. They initiated a tiered rollout plan in which high-risk groups like medical workers would receive the vaccine first. China implemented a “Vaccine QR Code” system that allowed users to download a health code on their smartphones. This code indicated whether individuals could access certain public areas or were restricted from them, with a green code signifying that a person was vaccinated. The government also ran public awareness campaigns to build trust among the population. On the international stage, China donated millions of vaccines to developing countries and engaged in bilateral commercial sales with countries that could afford them, such as the UAE and Egypt. This approach was known as “Fill and Finish,” which allowed companies with the capacity to formulate bulk vaccines but lacking the specialized sterile production lines for filling vials to collaborate effectively. Furthermore, China contributed to the WHO-led COVAX initiative, donating $100 million to support global vaccination efforts.
China is committed to donating cold chain equipment, including solar-powered and ice-lined refrigerators. Additionally, there is the potential to implement dedicated cargo flights for air drops in conflict-affected countries. China also advocates for fill-and-finish manufacturing in developing nations. Furthermore, the establishment of inventory management systems, along with training local personnel and educating them on medical practices, can contribute to faster distribution.
