The vaccine, which is distributed by local pharmaceutical company Duopharma Biotech Bhd, has been approved for use by those aged 18 to 59.
The health ministry’s Drug Control Authority approved the vaccine for conditional use in July. Aside from being listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO), the vaccine has received emergency approval in more than 65 countries, including those in the European Union.
The Sinopharm vaccine requires two doses, administered at an interval of 21 days, according to WHO.
The first shipments of the vaccine arrived in September.
“Duopharma Biotech is committed to supporting the government’s vaccination programme and augmenting the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, by expanding vaccine distribution channels to ensure full vaccine coverage in Malaysia,” Duopharma Biotech group managing director Leonard Ariff Abdul Shatar said in a statement today.
The Sinopharm vaccine is the third Covid-19 vaccine from China to be administered in Malaysia after Sinovac and CanSino, and adds to other vaccines in Malaysia’s portfolio from AstraZeneca and Pfizer-BioNTech.
Each vial contains a single 0.5ml dose, which helps prevent wastage and allows for easy planning of vaccine administration.
As vaccines typically have a short shelf life once the seal is broken, hospitals have a limited window to use all the doses in a vial before it loses its efficacy and must be discarded, an issue avoided by single dose vials.
The Sinopharm vaccine can be stored at between 2°C and 8°C, which is suitable for conventional refrigerated storage, and lasts under these conditions for 24 months.
Duopharma Biotech also provides private vaccination services as well as mobile vaccine clinics for large groups such as workers in manufacturing facilities, in collaboration with healthcare organisers.
Healthcare providers interested to procure the Sinopharm vaccine or companies wanting to arrange vaccination may reach out to Duopharma Biotech’s customer service for inquiries via email at [email protected].
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