Coronavirus Singapore

First batch of Sinovac vaccine arrives, but it is not approved yet

HSA awaits submission of all necessary data by manufacturer for thorough assessment

Sinovac's product is a more traditional inactivated vaccine, which makes use of killed virus particles. This method has been used in vaccines for diseases such as polio.
Sinovac's product is a more traditional inactivated vaccine, which makes use of killed virus particles. This method has been used in vaccines for diseases such as polio. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG

Singapore received its first shipment of China's Sinovac vaccine on Tuesday but has yet to authorise it for use, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) yesterday.

It added that the vaccine maker has started submitting initial data to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).

"HSA is currently awaiting Sinovac's submission of all the necessary information in order to carry out a thorough scientific assessment of the manufacturing process, safety and efficacy of the vaccine under the Pandemic Special Access Route," MOH said.

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have received interim authorisation here under this route.

As a condition of such authorisation, vaccine manufacturers have to monitor the longer-term efficacy of vaccines to determine the duration of protection against Covid-19.

They are also required to continue following up on the safety of their products for a longer period of time, in order to determine their full safety profile.

Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines involve injecting snippets of the virus' genetic material into the body to stimulate an immune response.

In contrast, Sinovac's product is a more traditional inactivated vaccine, which makes use of killed virus particles. This method has been used in vaccines for diseases such as polio.

MOH also said it received a fresh shipment of the Pfizer vaccine yesterday, and will continue to monitor vaccine supplies closely.

In a Facebook post, the Chinese Embassy in Singapore said the delivery of the Sinovac vaccine cements the agreement made by both countries to cooperate on issues related to the pandemic.

"China and Singapore have helped each other to meet the challenge since the Covid-19 epidemic broke out, setting a fine example for cooperation against the virus among countries," it wrote.

It added that China will continue to work with Singapore to "enhance cooperation on vaccine and epidemic control, build a global community of health for all, and win the final victory in the fight against the epidemic".

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 25, 2021, with the headline First batch of Sinovac vaccine arrives, but it is not approved yet. Subscribe