Coronavirus: Aiming to stay a step ahead with Pacific jab diplomacy

Australia has moved to ensure Pacific and Southeast Asian countries will get early access to a coronavirus vaccine.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne. Picture: AAP

Australia has moved to ensure Pacific and Southeast Asian countries will get early access to a coronavirus vaccine in what looms as the nation’s most impor­tant single aid commitment.

In a major “vaccine diplom­acy” push, the federal government has made an $80m down payment to the Gavi international vaccine alliance to ensure key regional partners don’t miss out.

The initial commitment will provide doses for up to 20 per cent of recipient countries’ popula­tions in the first phase, to protect healthcare workers, the elderly and other vulnerable people.

It is understood the Gavi investment is one plank in a broader government strategy to secure vaccines for the region amid intense international competition.

The commitment comes amid rising suspicion in the Pacific over Chinese vaccines, with Papua New Guinea refusing entry last week to a planeload of Chinese workers who had been given an experimental vaccine.

Australia’s funding will source vaccines for countries including PNG, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Kiribati, Indonesia, East Timor, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, The Philippines and Vietnam. Gavi’s COVAX Advance Market Commitment will secure and distribute COVID-19 vaccines for all countries, not just those that can afford to purchase or manufacture vaccines themselves.

“Access to vaccines will play a critical role in the economic recovery­ of our region from this pandemic,” Foreign Minister Marise Payne said. “International investment in vaccine manufacturing and procurement is stronger when nations­ work together.”

The commitment comes days after Scott Morrison vowed to help the nation’s “Pacific family” and key Southeast Asian partners get access to a proven vaccine, when one became available.

China stepped up its vaccine diplomacy this week, with a commitment to give five Southeast Asian nations priority access to a Chin­ese-made vaccine.