PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia’s Covid-19 immunisation programme has received a timely boost with the first batch of the locally bottled Sinovac vaccine ready to be administered to the public.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said to date, Pharmaniaga LifeScience Sdn Bhd (PLS) had completed the “fill and finish” process for about 1.2 million vials of the China-made Sinovac vaccine.

A batch of 290,480 doses was the first to receive “lot release” approval from the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency and had been handed over by Pharmaniaga Bhd to the ministry to be rolled out nationwide.

“Lot release” approval refers to the process of evaluating each lot of licensed product before approving its release from the manufacturing plant and onto the market.

“This first batch of 290,480 vaccine doses is ready to be distributed to all our PPVs (vaccination distribution centres) across the country.

“The vaccine will be given to the rakyat free of charge under our National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.

“This is our commitment to ensure that Malaysia can reach herd immunity by vaccinating 70% to 80% of the population, ” said Dr Adham at the vaccine handover ceremony at his ministry here.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/05/12/sinovac-vaccine-ready-for-rollout