China vaccine ‘arriving soon’ to kickstart Thailand’s stalled inoculation
China’s Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine will be delivered to Thailand as soon as possible, Chinese officials told Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday. The assurance was given by the Chinese Embassy’s chargé d'affaires, Yang Xin, during a meeting with Prayut at Government House ahead of Chinese New Year.
However, no date was given for the vaccine’s arrival.
China’s drug regulator last week gave conditional approval for the vaccine, called Coronavac, while the Thai Food and Drug Administration is currently reviewing Sinovac’s application.
The deal for the Sinovac vaccine has come under scrutiny amid reports it is barely more than 50 per cent affective against Covid-19.
However, Thailand’s inoculation programme has stalled after shipments of its other vaccine, manufactured by AstraZeneca, were delayed by shortages in Europe.
At Monday’s meeting, Prayut also praised China for its success in containing the spread of Covid-19.
