China’s Sinopharm becomes fifth vaccine approved in Thailand
Doses of the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are seen at the Biblioteka kod Milutina restaurant in Kragujevac, Serbia, May 4, 2021, in an offer to promote vaccination and contribute to the reopening of cafes, restaurants and bars. REUTERS/Marko Djurica/File Photo
China’s state-owned Sinopharm vaccine has become the fifth brand to be approved for emergency use in Thailand by the country’s Food and Drug Administration (TFDA).
“The Sinopharm vaccine is safe for people, is of good quality and is efficient. That’s why we have approved it,” said FDA Secretary-General Dr Paisal Dunkhum in a press conference today (Friday).
Friday’s approval follows that of another Chinese made vaccine, Sinovac’s CoronaVac, which was approved in February. The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was the first, which was approved in January. Other approved vaccines include Johnson & Johnson and Moderna.
Only CoronaVac and AstraZeneca have been procured and administered in Thailand so far, with over 2.2 million people receiving the first dose and almost a million people being fully vaccinated to date.
Up to 61 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine are being produced locally by Siam Bioscience and delivery is expected to start in June.
The Sinopharm approval comes as Thailand’s Chulabhorn Royal Academy announced its plan to procure alternative makes of COVID-19 vaccine, to supplement those being acquired by the government.
