The efficacy of Chinese-developed COVID-19 vaccines against new variants is under scrutiny after at least 20 doctors in Indonesia who were fully vaccinated with Sinovac died.
Since the pandemic began, 401 doctors in Indonesia have died, the risk mitigation team of the Indonesian Medical Association said on Friday last week.
358 medical workers in Kudus who were vaccinated with Sinovac tested positive during a two-week span, according to the risk mitigation team of the Indonesian Doctors Association, IndiaTV News reported.
Indonesia has vaccinated less than 5 per cent of its population, despite having started inoculations in January.
Of those who have been vaccinated, most received doses of Sinovac, which is believed to be less effective against certain COVID-19 variants.
Sinovac is produced by a Chinese pharmaceutical company and promoted by the Chinese government.
It has, however, been criticised for a lack of transparency about its clinical trials.
Earlier, The New York Times reported that countries like Mongolia, Seychelles and Bahrain, who had relied on the easily accessible Chinese COVID-19 vaccines, are now battling a surge in infections.
Beijing saw its vaccine diplomacy as an opportunity to emerge from the pandemic as a more influential global power.
China’s top leader, Xi Jinping, pledged to deliver a Chinese shot that could be easily stored and transported to millions of people around the world.