'Quad' Nation India Angry Over US Vaccine Blockade [Correspondent Diary]

US Allows Vaccinations Without Appointment... Supply Exceeds Demand
Some Vaccination Sites Withdraw
India Sees 300,000 Daily Infections Amid US Vaccine and Raw Material Blockade
"Deaths May Be Five Times Higher Than Reported," Analysts Say
Quad Countries and Vice President's Lineage Yet No Support... Even Vaccine Raw Materials Blocked
Anti-US Sentiment Spreads as Damage Grows
Expanded Indian Vaccine Support Could Impact South Korea

Vaccinations are being administered at the Natural History Museum located in Manhattan, New York. The iconic blue whale exhibit of the museum also has a band indicating vaccination.
[Photo by Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Just one year ago in April, cherry blossoms would have been in full bloom in the United States. Last year, I could only imagine them because I did not get to see the blossoms. It was only this year that I realized there are many cherry blossoms in the U.S. as well.

The COVID-19 vaccine changed the situation. This year, visitors gathered along the Potomac River in Washington DC and at Branch Brook Park in New Jersey to see the fully bloomed cherry blossoms, forsythia, and magnolias. This was thanks to the intensive COVID-19 vaccination efforts.

Spring visitors are enjoying the fully bloomed cherry blossoms at Brook Branch Park in New Jersey, USA.

The COVID vaccine was secured after leaving an indelible scar of 10% of the population infected and 570,000 deaths nationwide. It is understandably precious. President Joe Biden’s stance of “not ready yet” to share vaccines overseas is also understandable.

The U.S. began vaccinating all adults aged 16 and over nationwide on the 19th of last month. Before that, vaccination was relatively easier in wealthy states like New York and California, but many states required people to stay up all night to make reservations.

Within less than a week, new guidelines were issued. Now, vaccinations can be received without reservations.

In New York and neighboring New Jersey, large vaccination centers operated by local governments allow vaccinations without appointments. Text messages encouraging people to get vaccinated without reservations are being sent to mobile phones, and governors boast about this on social media ? this is the current state of the U.S.

Just a short while ago, it was difficult to find available slots for vaccination appointments, but now people can choose their preferred time and place. This is a change that happened within just a few days.

This situation is largely analyzed as being due to abundant vaccine supply but reduced demand. Excluding vaccine refusers and those under 16 who are not yet authorized for vaccination, there are almost no adults left to vaccinate. There are even reports of some regions closing large vaccination centers.

The U.S. government also knows it is no longer easy to increase vaccination numbers record-wise. The 7-day average number of vaccinations has already dropped from a peak of 3.2 million to 2.8 million. Instead of mass vaccinations, efforts are needed to persuade or reach out to rural or remote residents, racial minorities with high vaccine hesitancy, and conservatives. Vaccination for children is also urgent.

'Quadra-deni' COVID Tragedy Strikes India
Anti-American Sentiment Expands

While the U.S. swept up vaccines, a tragedy is unfolding on the opposite side of the globe.

India has recently been reporting over 300,000 new infections daily. India, a global vaccine manufacturing hub, has become the epicenter of crisis due to the surge in new infections and deaths.

COVID-19 victims are being cremated in India.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Criticism has begun that this situation was brought about by the U.S. The New York Times on the 24th (local time) pointed out the need for U.S. intervention, accompanied by tragic photos of COVID-19 victims being cremated in India.

It is claimed that the U.S. worsened India’s situation by banning exports of vaccine raw materials and supplies to expand domestic vaccine supply. The Times introduced statements from State Department and White House officials claiming that U.S. vaccinations are prioritized and that sufficient support has been provided to India, but questioned whether this is truly the case.

Some argue that delays in Pfizer and Moderna vaccine supplies to South Korea are because it did not join the 'Quad,' a coalition of countries opposing China, but ironically, India, a Quad member, is suffering tremendous disadvantages.

India’s COVID-19 crisis also affects the U.S. The U.S. has recommended banning travel to India for its citizens but still allows flights. Completely cutting off exchanges with India, a Quad country opposing China, is a heavy burden. Through exchanges, variants originating from India could again threaten the U.S.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is of Indian and Black descent. The Indian-American community, who supported her election as if it were their own cause, and local supporters’ heartfelt backing seem to have been in vain.

The local media Times of India reported that anti-American sentiment among Indians is rising due to vaccine issues.

With even mainstream U.S. media involved, it seems likely that U.S. support for India will come in the near future. On the 23rd, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce urged the government to send AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines to COVID crisis countries like India and Brazil.

This is a natural step to block global infections. It must happen as soon as possible.

However, since the crises in India, Brazil, and Africa are so severe, South Korea, where vaccine distribution is delayed, may be deprioritized for support. Although Korea succeeded in quarantine, the cost of not achieving 'vaccine independence' remains high.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.