SHAH ALAM:Pharmaniaga Bhd (Pharmaniaga) assures the COVID-19 vaccine, CoronaVac produced by Chinese pharmaceutical company, Sinovac Life Sciences Co Ltd (Sinovac), is safe, effective and halal.
Pharmaniaga Research and Development Division head, Dr Badarulhisam Abdul Rahman, said the vaccine produced using inactive virus technology is the most effective and proven method for the past 40 years.
"The same method is also used for the production of vaccines for dangerous diseases such as Polio and Hepatitis A. This technology has proven to be effective compared to other new technologies whose risks are not yet known," he said when presenting the development of the vaccine virtually, today.
Also participating in the presentation session was Pharmaniaga Group managing director, Datuk Zulkarnain Md Eusope.
However, Dr Badarulhisam said confusion about the effectiveness of the vaccine arose after clinical studies in the two countries showed Turkey had a score of 91.25 per cent while Brazil had 50.38 per cent.
He explained that the study in Turkey can be seen as a benchmark for the effectiveness of the CoronaVac vaccine because it was tested on the general population involving 13,000 individuals aged 18 and above compared to Brazil which tested it on 13,060 health workers exposed to the COVID-19 virus daily.
"However, the study in Turkey will only be completed early this month. But we believe that the level of effectiveness will exceed 90 per cent, which is above the 50 per cent standard set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for a vaccine to be registered," he said.
Dr Badarulhisam added that through the clinical study, no serious side effects including 'Vaccine Enhance Disease' were detected after two doses of the vaccine were given to the participants and the majority only experienced mild reactions.
In the meantime, Zulkarnain said Pharmaniaga had researched the contents, formulas and methods the vaccine was produced and was confident that it was halal to use as stated by the Indonesian Ulamak Council.
He also expects the CoronaVac vaccine to be approved by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Division (NPRA) by the end of this month or early March before being distributed in April.
"According to the agreement, Pharmaniaga will supply 12 million doses of this vaccine. In the first month, we will supply one million doses of CoronaVac vaccine followed by two million doses in the next month to be distributed by the government," he said.
Asked whether Pharmaniaga might sell the vaccine to the private sector, especially to industries for the use of their foreign workers, Zulkarnain said the matter was discussed with the government.
"We are currently in talks with the government (to sell CoronaVac) because after supplying 12 million doses of the vaccine, Pharmaniaga will still have a supply of another two million doses. However, the government has requested that the vaccine be given to government-linked companies (GLCs) which are 'economic fronliners' as well as foreign workers and expatriates.
"Pharmaniaga is also gathering information about it and once completed, we will negotiate how it will be carried out. However, the distribution of vaccines for Malaysians is our priority at this time," he said.
On Jan 12, Pharmaniaga signed an agreement with Sinovac to supply 14 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, the bottling process of which was done at a high-tech factory in Puchong, Selangor.
On Jan 26, Pharmaniaga signed an agreement to supply 12 million doses of CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccine to the Ministry of Health Malaysia.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Tue Feb 02 2021
On Jan 12, Pharmaniaga signed an agreement with Sinovac to supply 14 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, the bottling process of which was done at a high-tech factory in Puchong, Selangor. - File picture/ Reuters
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.