• Overrules divided opinion by its experts’ panel 
• SL can now use all COVID-19 vaccines listed for emergency use by WHO
• It has an efficacy rate of 83.5 percent

By Kelum Bandara 

The board of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) approved the emergency use of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine in Sri Lanka after much deliberation on the effectiveness of it yesterday, an official said. 

It is another vaccine manufactured in China, and has an efficacy rate of 83.5 percent. 

The board comprises 13 members. However, only 11 were present yesterday, and nine out of them endorsed the use of any amount of Sinovac jabs to contain the spread of the disease. Out of the two members who did not consent with the majority, one sought postponement of approval till further reports are available. The other one said he could give approval for the use of a limited number of jabs only. 

NMRA Chairman Dr. Rasitha Wijewantha told Daily Mirror that the board took this decision despite the experts’ committee having a divided opinion on the use of Sinovac vaccine. 

“The experts’ panel failed to reach a conclusion on the vaccine use. Four of its members were in favour of Sinovac and the other against it. The committee can only make recommendations. The board can either accept or reject. We, the board members, reviewed the recommendation by the experts’ panel in this regard and decided to grant approval for the use of this vaccine,” he said. 

With the latest decision, Sri Lanka can now use all the COVID-19 vaccines listed for emergency use by the World Health Organisation.  COVAX , the worldwide initiative for ensuring access to vaccines, also signed agreements with two Chinese pharmaceutical companies – Sinopharm and Sinovac- to buy their jabs to be distributed. 

• The board comprises 13 members. However, only 11 were present yesterday, and nine out of them endorsed the use of any amount of Sinovac jabs to contain the spread of the disease