China, Other Asian Countries Vaccinate Against Covid-19 Faster Than Ever

COVID-19 vaccine rollouts have accelerated in many Asia-Pacific countries in recent weeks, overtaking the pace of doses being administered in Western nations, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.

China accounts for around half of the world's 33 million COVID-19 doses administered every day, while Japan and Australia, adjusted for population, are currently administering more doses daily than the US or Israel.

Around 75% of the world's daily vaccinations are now administered in Asia, up from around 50% weeks ago.

South Korea has surpassed its initial target of vaccinating a quarter of its 52 million people by June after receiving orders of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and is on track to administer a dose to 70% of its population by September.

Six weeks ago Japan had administered a dose to 2% of its population and South Korea had administered a dose to 6% of its population, but now the shares of vaccinated people have risen to 16% and 29%, respectively.