Let’s hope with the abundance of options in Covid-19 vaccines that it would spell the end of the pandemic, sooner rather than later!
Reports have come out from Turkey that the Covid-19 vaccine developed by China has been effective and safe for use. Malaysian national news agency, Bernama reported that Turkey has attested to the effectiveness of the vaccine and will be starting their vaccination program ASAP.
Turkey’s Health Minister, Fahrettin Koca in a press statement last Thursday said that the vaccine manufactured by China’s Sinovac Biotech has an effective rate of 91.25%. The vaccine has also no adverse side effect.
China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd’s Covid-19 vaccine.
The effectiveness rate was gauged from analysis of the data collected by various clinical trials of the vaccine amongst volunteers. It is understood that a first batch of 3 million Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine doses will be arriving in Turkey soon.
Turkey’s vaccination program will be targeting 9 million citizens during its first phase with priority given to those at high risk to the virus such as front liners and senior citizens.
Meanwhile, as reported by CodeBlue, Malaysia will also be purchasing doses of Sinovac’s Covid-19 vaccine. As of 22 December, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced that our country is currently finalising a deal with Sinovac Biotech Ltd to purchase its vaccine.
Turkey’s Health Minister, Fahrettin Koca.
Sciene, Technology and Innovation Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin also alluded that the deal with Sinovac Biotech would not only entail purchases of its vaccine, but also domestic fill-and-finish work and potential tie-ups with the Malaysian research and development sector.
Let’s hope that vaccines will be readily available for Malaysia and the rest of the world soon! 2021 seems a lot brighter with the news of the effectiveness of these vaccines.
