The vaccine, produced by Shenzhen Kangtai Biological Products Co, was approved by China last month.

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the third phase of the clinical trial would be conducted at eight research centres nationwide.

It will involve some 3,000 adults aged 18 years and above.

The trial is expected to run between 15 and 19 months.

“The clinical trial for this vaccine will help provide data on its efficacy and safety as well as whether it is suitable for Malaysians.

“This will give the country an edge in achieving herd immunity,” he said in a statement.

Apart from Malaysia, a trial run of the vaccine is being conducted in Colombia, Argentina, Pakistan, the Philippines and Ukraine.

Last month, Reuters reported that Kangtai aimed to start a Phase 3 clinical trial in May, involving 28,000 participants aged 18 and above.

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