SEPANG: Malaysia today took delivery of the Sinovac vaccine, another brand of the COVID-19 vaccine it has procured, almost a week after it received the first batch of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
The envirotainer - a temperature-controlled container - with 200 litres of the vaccine arrived at 9 am at the KL International Airport (KLIA) from Beijing in a Malaysia Airlines Airbus 330-300 aircraft, Flight MH319, bearing the livery of the Jalur Gemilang (national flag).
The passenger-to-cargo flight had left Kuala Lumpur for Beijing at 7.05 pm Friday to pick up the vaccine.
The 200 litres of the vaccine can make available more than 300,000 doses.
Several ministers were at KLIA when the vaccine arrived.
They were Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob; Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein; Coordinating Minister of the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme Khairy Jamaluddin and Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
Also present was China’s Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing.
After the aircraft cargo door was opened, the envirotainer containing the vaccine was unloaded using a jumbo container pallet loader and transferred to a dolly.
The envirotainer is able to maintain the temperature at between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius.
After the envirotainer had been unloaded, Ouyang handed a white box to Ismail Sabri to symbolise the handing over of the vaccine.
Then, the envirotainer was brought to the i-Secure area for the MASkargo vaccine handling team to check that the container still maintained the stipulated temperature and there were no dents or leakage.
After the inspection, the envirotainer was transferred to a Pharmaniaga truck which left for the designated vaccine storage location under police escort.
The bringing of the vaccine from the Sinovac plant in Beijing was handled by Sinovac and Pharmaniaga Logistics Sdn Bhd under an agreement.
Pharmaniaga announced on Jan 13 that it had signed an agreement with Sinovac to bottle and distribute 14 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Khairy had said that the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) is in the process of evaluating the Sinovac clinical data. The Sinovac vaccine has passed the third stage of clinical trials in several countries, including Brazil, Turkey and Indonesia.
On Feb 21, Malaysia received its first batch of 312,390 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
On Wednesday Feb 24, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin became the first person in the country to receive the vaccine and simultaneously launched the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme.
The programme will be carried out in three phases, with the first phase, from February to April, for frontline personnel.
The second phase is scheduled from April to August for senior citizens aged 60 and above and vulnerable groups with morbidity issues, as well as persons with disabilities, while the third phase is from May 2021 to February 2022 for those aged 18 and above.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Sat Feb 27 2021
The envirotainer - a temperature-controlled container - with 200 litres of the vaccine arrived at 9 am at the KL International Airport. Astro AWANI pic
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
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.