KUCHING, June 15: Sarawak welcomes the announcement today by Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah on the conditional approval by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) of the Convidecia Recombinant Novel Coronavirus Vaccine (Adenovirus Type 5 Vector) produced by the CanSino Biologics Inc, China.
The State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said Cansino being a single dose vaccine fits in very well with the state rural scenario.
“I must thank the Health Ministry for making a very wise and speedy decision.
“In Sarawak, we have our people living and scattered over a huge area in the interior, where transportation is not only a problem but is expensive as well.
“Being a single dose vaccine, the Cansino vaccine will fit in perfectly in our vaccination programme for these groups.
“Our medical teams will only need to visit them in their locations once, thus cutting down on expenses, travelling time and the inconveniences and risks involved.
“SDMC has forwarded its request to the federal government for suitable allocation of the vaccine to the state as soon as the supply is available to the country.
“This will certainly expedite the state target to complete its vaccination programme roll out by August this year.” Uggah added.
Earlier, Dr Noor Hisham in a statement said Covid-19 vaccines produced by China’s CanSino Biologics and US’ Johnson and Johnson have been given conditional approval for their usage in Malaysia. — DayakDaily
