Malaysia to receive 1 million doses of AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine from Japan

FILE PHOTO: Empty vials of Oxford/AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine are seen at a vaccination centre in Antwerp, Belgium March 18, 2021. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo

TOKYO (Reuters): Japan said on Friday it would send two million additional doses of AstraZeneca Plc's Covid-19 vaccine to Taiwan and Vietnam and arrangements were being made to send one million doses each to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

The direct donations, which should help Japan to increase its diplomatic influence in Asia, come as wealthy nations are being pushed to provide more doses to the global vaccine sharing scheme Covax to cover a 200-million dose shortfall.