KUALA LUMPUR: If you don't get your Covid-19 booster shot by February next year, your vaccination status may be deemed "incomplete", says Khairy Jamaluddin.
The Health Minister said the groups affected by this are those who received the Sinovac vaccine, as well as anyone who is above 60 years old.
"If these groups of individuals still have not gotten their booster shots after February 2022, their vaccination status will be changed to 'incomplete'," he said in a statement on Wednesday (Dec 16).
He said those whose status has been changed to "incomplete" would not be able to enjoy the benefits of those who have been deemed to have completed their vaccinations.
He said individuals who must get their booster shots before the end of February next year are those who had taken the Sinovac vaccine.
He added that those above 60 years old, who had taken a vaccine irrespective of the type of vaccines, will also be required to take their booster shot.
Khairy said this was in line with a recommendation by the World Health Organisation's Group of Experts on Immunisation (SAGE) advice.
He noted that the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force — Booster (CITF-B) had approved and adopted the recommendation on Dec 8.
At present, Khairy said that Comirnaty by Pfizer-BioNTech, CoronaVac by Sinovac and AstraZeneca have been approved for use for booster shots.
The Working Technical Committee, he added, had recommended that those above 18 should get their booster shots.
Get your booster: Khairy speaking at a press conference in Parliament. With him is Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: The vaccination status of those required to get their Covid-19 booster shot will be deemed “incomplete” if they fail to get their shots by February next year, says Khairy Jamaluddin.
“If these group of individuals still have not got their booster shots after February 2022, their vaccination status will be changed to ‘incomplete’,” the Health Minister told a press conference in Parliament yesterday.
He said those whose status has been changed to “incomplete” would not be able to enjoy the benefits of those who are deemed to have completed their vaccination.
Sinovac vaccine recipients are among those who must get booster shots by the February deadline.
Meanwhile, those above 60 years old, irrespective of vaccines type, will also be required to get their booster shot.
Khairy said this was in line with recommendation by the World Health Organisation’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE).
He added that the Covid-19 Immunisation Booster Task Force had approved and adopted the recommendation on Dec 8.
At present, Khairy said that the vaccines by Pfizer-BioNTech, Sinovac and AstraZeneca have been approved for use as booster shots.
He added those above 18 should also get their booster shots.
Booster dosing started nationwide on Oct 13 for fully vaccinated individuals to ensure the immunity received after completing their doses can be maintained for an optimal period, especially against the Delta variant.
Last month, Khairy stressed that Malaysia could face a new wave of Covid-19 infections if the administration of booster doses was not accelerated.
In a tweet later yesterday, he said in line with the government’s effort to ramp up the booster shots vaccination drive, mega PPV (vaccination centres) will be reopened starting with the Klang Valley.
“All 60 and above or Sinovac recipients must get a booster latest by February 2022 to keep (their) fully vaccinated status.
“You will get your booster appointment on MySejahtera 180 days after the second dose (Pfizer or AstraZeneca) or 90 days after the second dose (Sinovac).
“You can also contact GPs near you at https://vaksincovid.protecthealth.com.my/find to register on the waiting list,” he said.
As cases rise, experts say it’s time to expand Operation Surge Capacity nationwide
With the Delta variant confirmed to be the dominant strain in the country, experts are calling for Malaysia to continue its vaccination drive – especially in states outside the Klang Valley – to outpace the highly-infectious Covid-19 variant.
Greater vaccination efforts are needed in states outside the Klang Valley, health experts say, especially with the Delta variant casting a shadow on the country’s recovery.
With about 98% of the Klang Valley adult population having received at least the first vaccine dose under Operation Surge Capacity, public figures and health experts say attention should now be focused on other states in Malaysia.
“About two months ago, the proportion of cases for Greater Klang Valley represented 60% to 70% of total cases in Malaysia.
“But now it is about 50% to 60%. The rise in cases is both nationally and in Klang Valley, so it’s not just the concern of the Greater Klang Valley but every other state in Malaysia,” said Health deputy director-general (public health) Datuk Dr Chong Chee Kheong.
He added that the strain on the healthcare system in Klang Valley was now more manageable, but other states were now at risk.
International Islamic University Malaysia epidemiologist Prof Dr Jamalludin Ab Rahman suggested roping in community leaders to help get people vaccinated, including manual registration for those without the Mysejahtera app.
“The state government can identify who (the community leaders) are and if they are from rural areas. The government must go to people rather than wait for them to register,” he said.
He said low vaccine registration rates in certain states such as Sabah (44%) and Kelantan (65%) could be due to a lack of knowledge or technology.
“However, we should also study if there are other reasons like misunderstanding about vaccine safety. If that’s the case, the government needs to engage them and educate them,” he said.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia epidemiologist Assoc Prof Dr Azmi Mohd Tamil concurred that lower vaccine sign-up rates in certain states might not necessarily be due to vaccine hesitancy, but to the use of Mysejahtera.
“There are a lot of rural elderly Malays who have yet to register with Mysejahtera,” he said.
“There may be lower IT literacy and lower usage of the Mysejahtera app. Lower broadband or Internet penetration could be a problem too.”
As of Thursday, about 65% of adults in Malaysia have received at least one dose.
However, Sabah still has a relatively low vaccination coverage with about 37% of adults receiving at least one dose, with Kedah and Kelantan showing only slightly higher numbers at 43%.
To ramp up vaccination rates, Medical Practitioners Coalition Association of Malaysia president Dr Raj Kumar Maharajah said doubts that the public might have on the vaccination programme must be addressed.
“There are questions over the efficacy of the vaccines, especially with reports on empty shots and breakthrough infections.
“People are wondering why they need to get vaccinated when people are getting infected. As such, we need public assurance from the government.
“We need to know the vaccination history of the Covid-19 fatalities, or the proportion of vaccinated individuals who went on to Category 4 or 5,” he said.
He added that the government should mobilise the over 7,000 general practitioners (GPS) across the country to aid the vaccination programme.
“The government is not using the GPS to the fullest. They should rope them in, and we must cut down on the number of mega vaccination centres,” he said.
The Star Malaysia
by JOSEPH KAOS JR and CLARISSA
China's vaccine producer Sinopharm discovers potent antibody against Delta variant, effective in early treatment of COVID-19
China's vaccine producer Sinopharm announced on Wednesday that the research team discovered a potent neutralizing antibody against the Delta variant that could be effective in short-term preventive and early treatment of COVID-19 triggered by this variant.
The team, led by Yang Xiaoming, Chairman of Sinopharm China National Biotec Group, a Sinopharm subsidiary, found a monoclonal antibody which can effectively block the binding of novel coronavirus to the Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. This enzyme is attached to the membrane of cells located in the intestines, kidney, testis, gallbladder, and heart and the antibody can prevent the virus from infecting cells, the company announced on its official WeChat account.
Monoclonal antibody, as a targeted therapy drug, has a strong specificity, significant efficacy and low toxicity. Known as the "biological missile", it has shown excellent efficacy and broad application prospects in the treatment of a variety of diseases.
The application of the antibody, called 2B11, can also significantly reduce the pulmonary inflammation caused by virus infection.
The Delta variant has become the main variant in global transmission of COVID-19 and is also the prevailing variant in China. Recent studies showed that 2B11 had a highly consistent neutralization activity against the Delta variant, suggesting that it has great application value in short-term prevention and early treatment of COVID-19 caused by this variant.
The company said the clinical application of the 2B11 antibody is progressing an orderly manner with hopes that it can be used in the prevention and control of COVID-19 in China as soon as possible. The research is expected to be a useful weapon against virus mutation.
China's Sinovac will submit an application in several countries for clinical research and emergency use on vaccines targeting the Gamma and Delta variants, Sinovac CEO, Yin Weidong, said on Thursday during a forum on international cooperation on COVID-19 vaccines hosted by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
As cases rise, experts say it’s time to expand Operation Surge Capacity nationwide
With the Delta variant confirmed to be the dominant strain in the country, experts are calling for Malaysia to continue its vaccination drive – especially in states outside the Klang Valley – to outpace the highly-infectious Covid-19 variant.
Greater vaccination efforts are needed in states outside the Klang Valley, health experts say, especially with the Delta variant casting a shadow on the country’s recovery.
With about 98% of the Klang Valley adult population having received at least the first vaccine dose under Operation Surge Capacity, public figures and health experts say attention should now be focused on other states in Malaysia.
“About two months ago, the proportion of cases for Greater Klang Valley represented 60% to 70% of total cases in Malaysia.
“But now it is about 50% to 60%. The rise in cases is both nationally and in Klang Valley, so it’s not just the concern of the Greater Klang Valley but every other state in Malaysia,” said Health deputy director-general (public health) Datuk Dr Chong Chee Kheong.
He added that the strain on the healthcare system in Klang Valley was now more manageable, but other states were now at risk.
International Islamic University Malaysia epidemiologist Prof Dr Jamalludin Ab Rahman suggested roping in community leaders to help get people vaccinated, including manual registration for those without the Mysejahtera app.
“The state government can identify who (the community leaders) are and if they are from rural areas. The government must go to people rather than wait for them to register,” he said.
He said low vaccine registration rates in certain states such as Sabah (44%) and Kelantan (65%) could be due to a lack of knowledge or technology.
“However, we should also study if there are other reasons like misunderstanding about vaccine safety. If that’s the case, the government needs to engage them and educate them,” he said.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia epidemiologist Assoc Prof Dr Azmi Mohd Tamil concurred that lower vaccine sign-up rates in certain states might not necessarily be due to vaccine hesitancy, but to the use of Mysejahtera.
“There are a lot of rural elderly Malays who have yet to register with Mysejahtera,” he said.
“There may be lower IT literacy and lower usage of the Mysejahtera app. Lower broadband or Internet penetration could be a problem too.”
As of Thursday, about 65% of adults in Malaysia have received at least one dose.
However, Sabah still has a relatively low vaccination coverage with about 37% of adults receiving at least one dose, with Kedah and Kelantan showing only slightly higher numbers at 43%.
To ramp up vaccination rates, Medical Practitioners Coalition Association of Malaysia president Dr Raj Kumar Maharajah said doubts that the public might have on the vaccination programme must be addressed.
“There are questions over the efficacy of the vaccines, especially with reports on empty shots and breakthrough infections.
“People are wondering why they need to get vaccinated when people are getting infected. As such, we need public assurance from the government.
“We need to know the vaccination history of the Covid-19 fatalities, or the proportion of vaccinated individuals who went on to Category 4 or 5,” he said.
He added that the government should mobilise the over 7,000 general practitioners (GPS) across the country to aid the vaccination programme.
“The government is not using the GPS to the fullest. They should rope them in, and we must cut down on the number of mega vaccination centres,” he said.
The Star Malaysia
by JOSEPH KAOS JR and CLARISSA
China's vaccine producer Sinopharm discovers potent antibody against Delta variant, effective in early treatment of COVID-19
China's vaccine producer Sinopharm announced on Wednesday that the research team discovered a potent neutralizing antibody against the Delta variant that could be effective in short-term preventive and early treatment of COVID-19 triggered by this variant.
The team, led by Yang Xiaoming, Chairman of Sinopharm China National Biotec Group, a Sinopharm subsidiary, found a monoclonal antibody which can effectively block the binding of novel coronavirus to the Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. This enzyme is attached to the membrane of cells located in the intestines, kidney, testis, gallbladder, and heart and the antibody can prevent the virus from infecting cells, the company announced on its official WeChat account.
Monoclonal antibody, as a targeted therapy drug, has a strong specificity, significant efficacy and low toxicity. Known as the "biological missile", it has shown excellent efficacy and broad application prospects in the treatment of a variety of diseases.
The application of the antibody, called 2B11, can also significantly reduce the pulmonary inflammation caused by virus infection.
The Delta variant has become the main variant in global transmission of COVID-19 and is also the prevailing variant in China. Recent studies showed that 2B11 had a highly consistent neutralization activity against the Delta variant, suggesting that it has great application value in short-term prevention and early treatment of COVID-19 caused by this variant.
The company said the clinical application of the 2B11 antibody is progressing an orderly manner with hopes that it can be used in the prevention and control of COVID-19 in China as soon as possible. The research is expected to be a useful weapon against virus mutation.
China's Sinovac will submit an application in several countries for clinical research and emergency use on vaccines targeting the Gamma and Delta variants, Sinovac CEO, Yin Weidong, said on Thursday during a forum on international cooperation on COVID-19 vaccines hosted by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
THERE’S finally light at the end of the tunnel from a dark period in modern history. The race to complete the final stage of testing the Covid-19 vaccine is almost at the finish line.
In Britain, the vaccination exercise has kicked off with people above 80 years old, since they’re the most vulnerable to the dreadful virus.
But let’s not get carried away. Only the British government has expedited the approval because it’s bracing for a huge spike with the coming winter.
The United States government only officially approved the use of Pfizer Inc’s Covid-19 vaccine on Friday, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granting an emergency use authorisation for healthcare workers and elderly people in long-term care facilities in its first round of 2.9 million doses.
The FDA is responsible for protecting public health by ensuring safety, efficacy and security of human and veterinary drugs in the US. The FDA has always been used as a benchmark by most countries in providing approvals.
Last week, MyEG Services Bhd announced that it will work with Anhui Zhifei Longcom Biopharmaceutical Co Ltd (Zhifei) to obtain the Malaysian halal certification for the Chinese biopharma company’s Covid-19 vaccine, and to exclusively distribute it in Malaysia for a three-year period.
It said the two companies had signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate in conducting Phase 3 clinical trials of Zhifei’s vaccine in Malaysia and to meet the halal status requirements of the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).
In September, loss-making Ho Wah Genting, which had been searching for a core-income generating business for a while, declared it was officially in the race to produce vaccines.
It announced that it had been appointed by a China-based diagnostic reagents manufacturer as its designated overseas sales agent for Covid-19 diagnostic products in Asean countries.
More recently, a Covid-19 research centre not linked to any medical institution, also sprouted and began issuing press releases to the media.
Firstly, let’s be clear that there’s nothing to stop the private sector from playing a role in the search for a vaccine source. In fact, I think it’s commendable that these companies are ready to play a complementary role.
If the intention is to help their bottom line, and in the process, propel their share prices, it’ll be up to shareholders to be mindful, and perhaps the Securities Commission to keep its eyes open.
Individuals hoping to set up a non-governmental organisation, including for Covid-19, have the right to do so, but their authority and credibility are for the public and media to decide.
The private sector, in fact, should be encouraged to take a stronger role in the fight against the pandemic, as the number of cases continue to climb in Malaysia.
The truth is, while we’ve relaxed the rules, with a crippling economy in mind, our situation has gotten worse. Let’s be honest – statistics don’t lie.
Only those with a warped mind, like conspiracy theorists, think the numbers in Malaysia have been manipulated and jacked up for political reasons. It’s an insult to dedicated professionals like Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah and his team of frontliners, who haven’t taken a day off since the Movement Control Order (MCO) began in March.
The number of positive cases in Malaysia could likely be higher because only targeted areas and cases are tested, including travellers, medical treatment seekers and foreign workers.
The average daily cases (originally three digits in March and rendering us house bound) has passed the 2,000 mark now.
Most of us feel the end is near and that even with the staggering new numbers, we are certain that the cure is just round the corner, what with all the media hype over 90% efficacy by these drug companies.
Unfortunately, none of the vaccines have been approved by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency of Malaysia yet. Companies bringing in Covid-19 vaccines must also be registered with the NPRA – it doesn’t matter if these vaccines are from the UK, US, China or Russia.
I’ve been reliably informed that until today, no private companies have applied despite their announcements. So, nothing has been approved.
Like the US, Malaysia has also decided to wait until all the vaccines have completed the final stages of trials and are properly approved.
With the situation exceptionally dire there though, the FDA is reported to be ready to approve emergency use of Covid-19 vaccines in the US as more than 285,000 people have died from the virus.
But as with all testing, there will be cases of side effects, including fatalities. Tests are often called off and then resumed, which is normal, but if we are to read the Western media, only US and UK-made vaccines are good enough.
They have put the Chinese and Russian products in bad light by insinuating they are inferior products.
This isn’t just a question involving billions of dollars, but a race for political and diplomatic achievements.
It won’t be surprising if the US FDA refuses to approve the Chinese and Russian products. And if that happens, then those nations would need to turn to the World Health Organisation.
So many of us have been brain-washed into believing that everything from the West is good and most things from China are inferior or not of international standards.
The New York Times reported that researchers are currently testing 57 vaccines in clinical trials on humans, and at least 86 pre-clinical vaccines are under active investigation on animals.
I am told that China has provided its initial consignment of vaccines from state-owned Sinopharm to Malaysia, and that we would be carrying out trials with the Medical Research and Ethics Committee to finalise the stringent criteria.
Shipments of Beijing-based Sinovac’s vaccine, CoronaVac, have arrived in Indonesia in preparation for a mass vaccination campaign, with another 1.8 million doses due by next month.
Sinovac’s edge is that it can be stored in a standard refrigerator at 2-8 degrees Celsius, like Oxford’s AstraZeneca, while Moderna’s vaccine needs to be stored at -20 C and Pfizer’s at -70 C.
That means the Chinese and UK vaccines are more practical for developing countries like Malaysia. Otherwise, we’d have issues storing large amounts of vaccine at extremely low temperatures because special storage facilities will be needed, which seems almost out of the question for rural areas.
Then, there’s the halal issue. The concerns among Muslims about the shots containing substances forbidden by Islam is understandable as the same issue was also brought up by Muslims in Indonesia.
But here are some simple medical rules – the Malaysian government does not register a medicine based on halal or non-halal status. No medicine carries a Jakim sticker that says halal certified.
Malaysia has inked a deal with Pfizer to supply 12.8 million doses of its Covid-19 vaccine for 20% of the population. It has also reportedly entered a pact with Covax Facility, the global Covid-19 vaccine development platform, to cover another 10% of the population.
This is a life and death situation. No one needs to be an Islamic theology expert to know what Islam says about emergency cases relating to starvation or medical treatment. Perlis Mufti Datuk Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin has reportedly said that “even if there is an ingredient which is not permissible, the chemical transformation process will make it clean and halal.”
The Special Muzakarah Committee of the National Council for Malaysian Islamic Affairs met on Dec 3 to discuss whether the vaccine can be administered to Muslims.
Religious Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Zulkifli Mohamed Al-Bakri said the decision would be announced by the King.
Given the grounds to this concern, this is certainly the right course of action, especially in curtailing it from becoming both religious and political issues, or from companies exploiting the matter for commercial reasons by making all sorts of claims.
As someone privileged to have met Zulkifli, who tested positive himself, I can vouch that he is one of the most rational and practical Islamic scholars.
The United Arab Emirates, a Muslim country, has accepted the China-made Sinopharm and Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim country, is ready to take the vaccine from China, too. And Saudi Arabia has embraced Pfizer’s vaccine.
The end of Covid-19 is in sight for sure. The fact that Malaysia is already talking of vaccination and testing approaches, means we’re already making practical preparations.
Last week, I spoke to Datuk Zulkarnain Md Eusope, the chief executive officer of Pharmaniaga Bhd, the company tasked with bottling and transporting the Covid-19 vaccine for Malaysia.
The company is already preparing for the distribution of these vaccines and is just waiting for the government’s approval for the big day.
Zulkarnain is an excited man and rattled off details of what and how Pharmaniaga has readied itself to be part of history and saving lives.
For most Malaysians, 2020 has been a horrible year of Covid-19 and squabbling politicians.
What a toxic combination. For sure, we can’t wait to welcome 2021.
From page 15 BEIJING: Research and development of coronavirus vaccines in China are at the final stages, with preparations in place for their mass production, said the head of the country’s Covid19 vaccine development task force.
There are five domestically developed vaccines under a phase-3 clinical trial, the final stage before attaining approval from the authorities, making China a leading country in Covid-19 vaccine development, said Zheng Zhongwei, who is also director of the National Health Commission’s development centre for medical science and technology.
Despite taking a leading role in Covid-19 vaccine research and development, China does not rush to compete in the field, Zheng told Xinhua on Wednesday.
Vaccines should be evaluated by criteria such as safety, effectiveness, accessibility and affordability before they are approved for market availability, he said, adding that China is being prepared for the mass production of vaccines.
Researchers in China have been racing to develop Covid-19 vaccines. A total of 15 vaccines using five different technologies are under clinical trials in China.
Of them, five are undergoing phase-3 clinical trials in countries including the United Arab Emirates, Brazil and Pakistan, as domestic trials involving many volunteers are not practical due to the effective control and prevention of the epidemic on the Chinese mainland.- ANN/THE STAR
A forum on vaccine industry marketing was held on
Saturday in Zhengzhou, Central China's Henan Province. Organized by the
China Association for Vaccines, the forum attracted hundreds of
enterprises, analysts, lawyers and scholars, who shared the latest
information on the vaccine industry
The research and development process for a new vaccine
usually takes at least a decade. But the deadly pandemic pushed the
world to shorten the process to less than one year, which apparently
increases the public's worries over the products' safety and efficacy.
Can people accept such a hastily developed vaccine? Continue reading and
let the evidence speak for itself.
China's leading vaccine maker Sinovac is working around
the clock to prepare for mass production, with the first production line
to secure 300 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine annually, the Global
Times learned after an exclusive visit to the company's plant in
Beijing.
As the overseas pandemic situation remains grave, China
faces increasing pressure to prevent imported cases. Particularly,
recent reports of frozen pork, lamb, beef, shrimp and fish products
testing positive for COVID-19 in over a dozen regions across China have
raised widespread concerns over the risks of infection through cold
chain trade due to its long supply chain and virus-friendly environment.
With the continuous spread of good news about COVID-19
vaccines, how to ensure its transportation has become a hot topic for
the global cargo industry. Analysts believe that vaccine transportation
will stimulate the aviation recovery, but questions remain about how to
make the transportation safe.
Inactivated COVID-19 vaccine CoronaVac produced by Chinese vaccine developer Sinovac Photo: Courtesy of Sinovac
Chinese vice premier Sun Chunlan stressed a scientific and rigorous preparation is required for the mass production of Chinese-developed COVID-19 vaccines during an inspection tour of vaccine production lines of some leading manufacturers in Beijing on Wednesday, the same day the UK became the first Western country to approve a coronavirus vaccine for widespread use.
Sun and State Councilor Wang Yong visited the National Institute for Food and Drug Control, and two leading vaccine producers Sinovac, National Vaccine & Serum Institute under Sinopharm in Beijing, the Xinhua News Agency reported late Wednesday.
The visit was seen as a prelude for the vaccine coming to market in a rigorous and scientific manner. Russia and the UK announced on Wednesday they will start mass vaccinations against the coronavirus next week.
Sun and Wang learned about COVID-19 vaccine research, visited production plants and checked preparation work, and fully affirmed the achievements of the vaccine developers.
Fourteen vaccines using five technology methods are in clinical trials and five vaccines are undergoing phase Ⅲ clinical trials. Emergency use, production preparation and other work are proceeding in an orderly manner.
Sun called for scientific and rigorous phase Ⅲ clinical trials to carry out review and approval work in strict accordance with laws, regulations and internationally recognized technical standards to ensure the safety and effectiveness.
She required Chinese companies prepare for mass production, strictly comply with laws, regulations, procedures and requirements on quality supervision and biosafety, improve the traceability system for vaccines, punish illegal activities for creating a favorable market environment.
Sun said it's necessary to formulate a vaccination distribution plan before the vaccines are made available to the public. The emergency use of the vaccine in high-risk groups, such as port workers and front-line supervisors, will be completed by the end of 2020, she said.
The UK's approval of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine on Wednesday paved the way for widespread uses of the vaccine. The first doses are already on their way to the UK, with 800,000 due to arrive in the coming days, Pfizer said.
Analysts said the UK and Russia's quick approval for widespread use of vaccine is mainly in response to new outbreaks that may get worse during the coming winter.
China is very likely to introduce its first officially approved vaccine for mass use in December, but whether it would be approved only for limited use is still under discussion, a Beijing-based immunological professor who asks not to be named told the Global Times.
The first vaccines to get approval are likely the inactivated vaccine candidates from either Sinovac or state-owned Sinopharm, said the professor, noting that other frontrunner candidates such as recombinant adenovirus vector vaccine would be slightly behind or approved for emergency use first.
The Global Times learned from the Sinovac's Brazilian partner Butantan Institute which is carrying out the phase Ⅲ clinical trials of the inactivated vaccine CoronaVac that the data from the trials have been sent to the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency. Sinovac told the Global Times that analysis of the clinical data will take some time.
Compared to China, vaccines are more urgently needed in the West, said a Shanghai-based vaccine expert. "The epidemic battle left many Americans desperate, let's hope President-elect Joe Biden will take human rights seriously and not follow in Trump's footsteps."
Pharmaceutical firms Pfizer and BioNTech, as well as
their competitor Moderna, have filed applications for approval of their
COVID-19 vaccines, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) said on Tuesday.
No matter how successfully China has contained the spread
of the coronavirus with all-out efforts and how the country has passed
on its experiences of handling the pandemic to the world in a timely
manner, some Western media has not given up its longstanding prejudices
and ideological biases when looking back at the past year, after
American broadcaster CNN came up with a so-called classified file on
Tuesday in an attempt to sensationalize obsolete issues and mislead the
world again.
African and some Latin American countries would prefer
Chinese-developed inactivated vaccines, due to their competitive costs
and easier logistics, to stop their pandemic crisis, said analysts in
both the vaccine and drug transportation services.
China will make its Covid-19 vaccine a global public good when it is
ready for application after successful research and clinical trials, a
senior Chinese official said.
