Griffith Asia Institute’s Professor Caitlin Byrne says we will have to look at how delivery of a coronavirus vaccine might translate into political outcomes.

It comes as the race for a vaccine appears to be drawing to a close, with multiple candidates saying their vaccine is safe and roughly 90 per cent effective.

“We’re seeing some countries really race into the game to develop and deploy that vaccine, and also to use the leverage that they might also be able to gain with other countries around the globe,” Professor Byrne told Sky News host Brent O’Halloran.

“I think we will have to look at how delivery of a vaccine might actually translate into political outcomes.”

Professor Byrne said the political outcomes might be in the South China Sea or in other parts of the world.

“I think we’re really waiting to watch and see what unfolds here.”