As COVID-19 cases surpass 100 million globally, the successful distribution of vaccines is the only solution that allows the world to truly recover from the pandemic. According to a vaccine database managed by Duke University, governments around the world have purchased more than 7 billion vaccine doses as of January 2021, among which 4.2 billion were bought by high-income countries. Even though they only represent about 16% of global population, high-income countries are holding 60% of all COVID vaccines. Most of these countries are holding more vaccines than their populations, while some have enough to cover their populations several times over. For instance, Canada has purchased enough vaccine doses to cover more than five times their population, whereas the UK ranks second by holding enough for three times their population. In contrast, most middle and low-income countries lack the capability to develop vaccines themselves and are scrambling to secure the remaining vaccine supply. This global inequality of vaccine distribution thus offers an opportunity for China and India – two of the handful of countries that are capable of exporting COVID vaccines – to enhance their soft power and geopolitical influence through the provision of vaccines for countries in need.

In this Policy Alert, we examine the ongoing Sino-Indian competition in vaccine diplomacy and compare the success of their global distribution efforts.

Read the Policy Alert here.