Myanmar in collaboration with China to produce Covid vaccine: SAC chairman
Myanmar is seeking coordination with China to produce a Covid-19 vaccine domestically in January with a target of producing five million units of vaccine per month, said Chairman of the State Administration Council and Prime Minister Senior General Min Aun Hlaing.
He revealed the information during the meeting (18/2021) of the SAC held in Nay Pyi Taw on December 13, State-run TV and newspapers reported.
“Although the Omicron virus has not touched the country yet, it is spreading to some neighbouring and regional countries. As such, it is necessary to take measures to prevent the infection of such virus in Myanmar. It is reported that those who have been vaccinated would have the least impact of the infection. If the infection rate is high, treatment will be given at the hospitals and clinics where preparations have been made,” the Senior General said.
When it comes to Covid-19 vaccination, he said, a total of 42,771,600 units of Covid-19 vaccines including those purchased by the State, those donated by foreign countries to the State and the military, those privately donated and those donated by the China-Myanmar Friendship Association for the Myanmar-China border areas have arrived in the country. One more million doses of vaccine purchased from Russia will arrive in Myanmar this month. And China will donate more vaccines, he said.
Moreover, the Nippon Foundation from Japan has pledged to donate two million vaccine doses to Myanmar, and one million will arrive this month and one more million in January, he added.
The Senior General said 31,049,275 doses have been administered while 11,722,325 doses are in hand. In the country, a total of 12,693,945 people have received two doses and 5,661,385 people one dose, totalling 18,355,330. The government is trying to vaccinate 50% of those aged 18 and above across the nation by December. Efforts are being made to exceed the target. Arrangements are also being made to vaccinate the remaining population. Moreover, those wishing to receive booster shots are allowed to do so at private hospitals in accord with the prescribed disciplines. As such, private hospitals and clinics need to follow the protocols and use the recognized vaccines in order to avoid any undesirable side effects, the Senior General said.
