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Sri Lanka seeks WHO approval to use Sinopharm

600,000 doses of the vaccine will arrive from China today

31 March 2021 08:14 am - 10     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Government is awaiting approval from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to use the Sinopharm vaccine on Sri Lankans.

Cabinet co-spokesman Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said that 600,000 doses of the vaccine will arrive in Sri Lanka from China today (Wednesday).

However, he said the vaccines will initially be administered only to Chinese nationals based in Sri Lanka.

He said that the World Health Organisation and the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) have not approved the use of the vaccine.

The Minister said that the vaccine has been evaluated by the NMRA based on the information it has received so far.

However, he said that there is a delay in evaluating the Phase 4 clinical trial results.

"Phase 4 clinical trial results are not available in the English language and that is why the WHO has not given its recommendation to use the vaccine universally. The moment we get the approval we can use it on Sri Lankans as well," he said.

Dr. Ramesh Pathirana believes it is only a matter of time before clearance is obtained from the WHO. (Easwaran Rutnam)


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  Comments - 10

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  • RoaringCreek Wednesday, 31 March 2021 08:45 AM

    How funny. First we say that we have to use only WHO approved vaccines. Now we are asking the WHO to approve a "SUMMA" vaccine. The WHO will approve vaccines after all tests and evaluations are done.

    RoaringCreek Wednesday, 31 March 2021 08:50 AM

    Why not invite the Director General on the WHO for a noodles holiday in Sri Lanka. He is likes noodles.

    Joshua Wednesday, 31 March 2021 09:28 AM

    WHO will approve this since it is a request from rajapakshe regime?

    Selvakumar Wednesday, 31 March 2021 10:45 AM

    Corona virus can;t be blame to anyone!!!

    Sino Wednesday, 31 March 2021 10:43 AM

    After getting it!!!

    Sumal Wednesday, 31 March 2021 11:03 AM

    How WHO will approve Rajapaksa personal requests? Also why we ordered without approval? A highest grade banana republic.

    Asanka Wednesday, 31 March 2021 11:22 AM

    So why did they not listen to the WHO about burying Covid19 victims? Hypocrites

    Ayaan Wednesday, 31 March 2021 11:42 AM

    And why a Chinese vaccine? Why not US/UK or Indian Vaccine which is proven

    mp Wednesday, 31 March 2021 12:34 PM

    Accepting medicine which have not still been approved by WHO - funny.

    vithura Wednesday, 31 March 2021 04:34 PM

    Permission from WHO to commit suicide...


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