But the slow pace of the rollout could mean some, or all, of Australia’s athletes head to Tokyo without the protection of a vaccine. Even if that was the case, it is highly unlikely the Chinese version of the vaccine will be made available for Australian users, even if it has been bought up by a number of European and Middle Eastern nations frustrated by the hoarding and shortage of the Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines.
But the deal with the IOC will almost certainly result in large numbers of athletes heading to Tokyo with a vaccine in place, even if the Sinopharm version has not published any detailed data from phase three trials like the vaccines manufactured in the west.
They are being administered in about 25 nations, but the move can be considered as somewhat of a gamble by the IOC given the limited public information about effectiveness and potential side effects.
The subject of whether athletes should get preferential treatment for vaccinations has been a topic of significant debate since mass programs began late last year.
The viability of the Games does not depend on vaccines at this stage, but organisers and the IOC would feel much safer if the entire athlete body, as well as coaches and officials, were afforded some level of protection before they arrived in Japan.
With a Chinese vaccine now in play via the IOC deal and vaccination programs proceeding at pace throughout the world, the postponed Games may be given a timely boost. But it remains to be seen whether Australian athletes will be one of the groups left without protection as vaccine shortages curtail the local rollout.
