Colombia has expanded its pandemic response strategy through a new collaboration with China, approving Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine for national use. President Gustavo Petro announced the move as part of efforts to diversify the country's vaccine portfolio and strengthen ties with Asian biopharmaceutical partners.
The Sinovac vaccine, developed by Beijing-based Sinovac Biotech, joins existing agreements with Pfizer and AstraZeneca. Health officials highlight its role in accelerating Colombia's inoculation campaign, particularly in rural areas where cold-chain storage infrastructure remains limited.
This partnership comes as South American nations seek balanced vaccine diplomacy strategies. While over 62% of Colombians are fully vaccinated, authorities aim to maintain momentum amid emerging variants. The World Health Organization has approved Sinovac for emergency use, with studies showing 51-84% efficacy against symptomatic disease.
Analysts note the deal reflects growing Chinese-Latin American health cooperation, with vaccine collaborations now spanning 20 countries and regions in the Americas. The agreement includes technology transfer components through bilateral scientific exchanges announced earlier this year.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
