Read on Twitter
Seeing a lot of what amounts to vaccine nationalism being shared by Indian Twitter when it comes to the Pfizer vaccine.
A lot of these arguments boil down to “angoor khatte hai” or “mera Bharat mahan” which is fine but don’t hide behind twisted logic.
A lot of these arguments boil down to “angoor khatte hai” or “mera Bharat mahan” which is fine but don’t hide behind twisted logic.
In February one journalistic outlet reported that Pfizer was bullying Latin American countries to put up embassies/military bases as collateral for indemnity.
This is being repeated ad nauseam as cases in India rise and discussions about vaccine shortages are happening.
This is being repeated ad nauseam as cases in India rise and discussions about vaccine shortages are happening.
That article, which has yet to be confirmed by any other outlet and reeks of Argentinian and Brazilian govt propaganda makes Pfizer out to be a Bond movie level evil organization, and so the conclusion is India doesn’t even need to negotiate with Pfizer.
Meanwhile a Brazilian newspaper has leaked the contract Pfizer signed with Brazil for vaccines. It’s a fairly standard contract with no discussions about extraordinary indemnity or “military bases” being put up as collateral. https://outline.com/XZqtgb
Just an hour ago Reuters is reporting that Latin American countries ARE getting Pfizer vaccine through COVAX, an organization created to provide the vaccine to low to middle income countries. I guess they bent the knee to Pfizer? https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccines-covax-idUSKBN2BZ1AC
Even poor Venezuela was able to scrape $64 million for the Pfizer vaccine. I’m sure their anti American stance must’ve flipped after receiving American medicine right? https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-venezuela-vaccines-idUSKBN2BZ0EN
The other item cited on Indian social media against Pfizer is the completely asinine requirement by Indian health authorities that Pfizer conduct local trials in India, when Pfizer has already passed Phase 3 trials in the US. https://www.contagionlive.com/view/fda-shares-phase-3-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-data-advisory-committee-agenda
Not to mention ongoing studies that keep demonstrating the Pfizer vaccine’s efficacy...but I’m sure India’s health regulations are superior to the FDA. That kind of logic can only be seen on Twitter. https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/news/pfizer-biontech-vaccine-efficacy/
The same website which reported the rumors of Pfizer’s unethical practices also says the Indian DCGI’s requirements make it impossible for foreign vaccines to be approved in a timely manner, and that local bridging trials are unnecessary https://www.statnews.com/2021/04/07/india-shouldnt-insist-on-bridging-trials-in-the-middle-of-a-pandemic/
there’s plenty of reasons to be skeptical about anything in the world. But if your response to “why hasn’t India approved Pfizer, Modrna, or Sputnik?” is “India is too good for these foreign medicines” I would suggest you think again https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-india-idUSKBN2BX031
