Rabu, 18 November 2020

Thai protesters hit police headquarters with paint, projectiles - CNA

BANGKOK: Thousands of demonstrators marched on Thailand's police headquarters in downtown Bangkok on Wednesday (Nov 18) for a second day of protests, after six people were shot during violent clashes.

The kingdom has been rocked by months of protests demanding changes to the constitution, the removal of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha - and even changes to the untouchable monarchy.

Protesters - numbering more than 10,000 according to an AFP estimate - packed the Ratchaprasong intersection in the heart of Bangkok's shopping and commercial district, after their leaders vowed to step up the movement.

After daubing anti-royal slogans on walls and the ground they marched on the heavily-defended national police headquarters - led by a clown and a parade of giant inflatable rubber ducks.

Clown at Bangkok protest Nov 18, 2020
A clown carries a large inflatable duck as protesters take part in an anti-government rally in Bangkok on Nov 18, 2020. (Photo: AFP/Jack Taylor)

Protesters pose for photos next to the paint-splattered sign
Protesters pose for photos next to the paint-splattered sign for the police headquarters during an anti-government rally in Bangkok on Nov 18, 2020. (Photo: AFP/Mladen Antonov)

They were accompanied by a Buddhist monk giving the three-fingered salute borrowed from the Hunger Games movies that has become emblematic of the youth-led protest movement.

Some protesters threw glass bottles and paint bombs over the walls of police headquarters, which was barricaded with dumper trucks, concrete blocks and razor wire, while others used water pistols to hurl paint inside the compound.

READ: Thai police fire tear gas, water cannon at parliament protest

Many had come equipped with with helmets, goggles and gas masks to protect themselves against police action.

"We will protect our people. We don't want any violence but there will be no compromise until they meet our demands," protester Jay, 26, told AFP.

Wednesday's protest came a day after the most violent confrontations since the protest movement began in July, as police used tear gas and irritant-laced water cannon on protesters trying to reach parliament, and activists clashed with royalists.

More than 50 people were injured, six of them with gunshot wounds, according to medical officials, though it is not clear who was responsible for the shooting.

"KEEP FIGHTING"

Prime Minister Prayut has urged protesters to refrain from violence, but ruled out introducing another emergency decree - like the one banning public gatherings of more than four people which spanned a week in October.

But there is little sign the demonstrators are prepared to back down.

A truck carrying protesters with a loudspeaker system
A truck carrying protesters with a loudspeaker system moves through the crowd at an anti-government rally in Bangkok on Nov 18, 2020. (Photo: AFP/Mladen Antonov)

Bangkok rally Nov 18, 2020
Protesters take part in an anti-government rally in Bangkok on Nov 18, 2020. (Photo: AFP/Mladen Antonov)

"We should not be afraid - this is just a transitional moment in our history," Sirapop Poompuengpoot, another student leader, told the crowd Wednesday.

"People are working for us in parliament and the rest is up to us: Keep fighting."

Tuesday's drama saw protesters plough through police barricades towards parliament to put pressure on MPs debating constitutional reform, prompting the use of tear gas and water cannon.

A monk at a Bangkok rally Nov 18, 2020
A man wearing monk robes and a gas mask carries a water pistol as he holds up the three-finger salute during an anti-government rally in Bangkok on Nov 18, 2020. (Photo: AFP/Mladen Antonov)

A food vendor serves protesters
A food vendor serves protesters taking part in an anti-government rally in Bangkok on Nov 18, 2020. (Photo: AFP/Mladen Antonov)

Police say they did not fire either live rounds or rubber bullets on Tuesday, and they are investigating who was behind the shootings of six people, which happened about 300m from the main protest zone near parliament.

The Thai Human Rights Lawyers Association slammed police tactics, saying they were "not in accordance with international procedure to disperse demonstrations".

CHALLENGE TO MONARCHY

The movement has seen calls from some for reform to the monarchy, and on Wednesday protesters sprayed hundreds of anti-royal slogans, some of them obscene.

Such scenes were until recently unthinkable in a country where the king and his family are protected by some of the world's toughest royal defamation laws.

In photos: Thai protesters, police clash outside parliament

"Tonight is our first victory. A victory for freedom of speech. We can speak about everything, and write anything, even about our king," protester Luke, 29, told AFP.

"I am really happy. I did not think this will happen in my country."

Protesters gathered at the Ratchaprasong junction in Bangkok's shopping and commercial heart,
Protesters gathered at the Ratchaprasong junction in Bangkok's shopping and commercial heart, after their leaders vowed to step up the movement. (Photo: AFP/Jack Taylor)

Protesters take part in an anti-government rally in Bangkok
Protesters take part in an anti-government rally in Bangkok on Nov 18, 2020. (Photo: AFP/Jack Taylor)

King Maha Vajiralongkorn sits at the apex of Thai power, supported by the military and the kingdom's billionaire clans, and the royal family enjoys support from mostly older conservatives.

Lawmakers have this week been discussing various proposals for constitutional change, which mostly exclude any reform to the monarchy.

On Wednesday they agreed to look at two proposals for a "constitutional drafting assembly", while rejecting more far-reaching Bills to revise the role of the royals and change the makeup of the senate.

Bangkok protesters Nov 18 (1)
Protesters are seen in downtown Bangkok on Nov 18, 2020. (Photo: May Wong)

Riot police officers are seen at the police headquarters during a rally in Bangkok
Riot police officers are seen at the police headquarters during a rally in Bangkok, Thailand on Nov 18, 2020. (Photo: Reuters/Athit Perawongmetha)

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2020-11-18 14:15:00Z
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Malaysia in deal with China for COVID-19 vaccine development - CNA

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia said on Wednesday (Nov 17) it has signed an agreement with China to cooperate on the development of a safe and efficacious vaccine, as part of efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the agreement, in force for an initial period of five years, Malaysia will be given priority access to COVID-19 vaccines developed by China.

Both will share knowledge and expertise and facilitate scientific and technological capabilities to advance vaccine development in their countries, Malaysia said in a joint ministerial statement.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin signed the agreement with his Chinese counterpart Wang Zhigang in a virtual ceremony.

READ: Malaysia in final stage of talks with COVID-19 vaccine producers, aims to roll out immunisations by Q1

Cooperation between Malaysia and China under the agreement would be supervised by a committee chaired by the foreign affairs ministers of both countries that was formed in October to address post-pandemic challenges.

"Both countries will also support the participation of their public and private sectors including universities, institutions, societies and organisations in joint collaborative projects," the Malaysian ministries said.

READ: Malaysia extends movement curbs amid record 1,240 new COVID-19 cases

Malaysia said on Monday it is in the final stage of discussions with COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers and hopes to roll out immunisations by the first quarter of next year. Malaysia is in talks with 10 COVID-19 vaccine producers that are in Phase 3 trials, said Mr Khairy.

660 NEW COVID-19 CASES

The health ministry on Wednesday reported 660 new COVID-19 infections, taking the national tally to 50,390. There were also four new fatalities, bringing the total deaths to 322.

Sabah accounted for 387 cases while 141 infections were recorded in Selangor. 

The health ministry said the number of available hospital beds in the Klang Valley have been increased from 345 to 4,739 in preparation for a potential spike in infections. A total of 103 patients remain warded in the intensive care unit, with 41 requiring ventilation support. 

Deputy director-general of health Rohaizat Yon said the health ministry's various strategies have helped to keep the number of COVID-19 fatalities in Malaysia low at nine deaths per 1 million population.

Dr Rohaizat said an analysis showed that the majority of COVID-19 deaths in Malaysia were mainly patients aged 50 and above, who accounted for 85.4 per cent of all deaths. 

“Other major factors that also contribute to the death of COVID-19 patients are comorbidities such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease as well as the duration of patients seeking treatment at health facilities," he said. 

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments

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2020-11-18 10:07:30Z
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Taiwan to shut down China-friendly tycoon's news channel - CNA

TAIPEI: Taiwan refused on Wednesday (Nov 18) to renew the licence of a news channel widely seen as pro-China, effectively shutting it down, citing evidence of interference from a Beijing-friendly tycoon amid fears over China's campaign to win support on the island.

The rejection of CTi cable's request is the first time Taiwan has shut, even though indirectly, a television news station since the regulator, the National Communications Commission was set up in 2006.

The decision provoked immediate anger from CTi and Taiwan's main opposition party, which called it an attack on media freedom.

Taiwan's government has repeatedly said China has stepped up efforts, including a media campaign, to infiltrate and gain influence on the democratic island, which Beijing considers its own and has threatened to use force to bring under its control.

Commission head Chen Yaw-shyang said the rejection decision was unanimous and cited accusations of interference in CTi's editorial independence by major shareholder Tsai Eng-meng, who runs one of China's largest food firms, Want Want China Holdings Ltd.

"It is a fact that their biggest shareholder had directly interfered in the news desk of CTi," Chen said.

CTi had been fined for several violations such as failure to check facts and endangering the public interest, he added.

"The Tsai government has closed CTi; press freedom is dead!" CTi wrote on its Facebook page in response, referring to President Tsai Ing-wen.

The channel, which vowed to fight the decision in court, has denied favouring China, saying the government is seeking to silence those who do not support its policies.

Chen said CTi received more than 920 complaints last year, about a third of the total for all news channels in Taiwan.

However, he said, there was no evidence that CTi had received Chinese government funding.

Reuters could not immediately reach key shareholder Tsai to seek comment, but he has previously rejected accusations of newroom interference.

Tsai's family owns two television stations and several newspapers and cable networks in Taiwan.

The Kuomintang, Taiwan's main opposition party, said it opposed the decision, as it could have a "chilling effect, strongly impacting press freedom".

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2020-11-18 09:39:52Z
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Selasa, 17 November 2020

Thai MPs to vote on reforms, a day after 6 protesters shot and dozens more hurt in clashes with police - CNA

BANGKOK: Thai lawmakers prepared to vote on possible constitutional reforms on Wednesday (Nov 18), as violent clashes between protesters and the police the day before saw six protesters shot and at least 55 hurt.

Demonstrators marching on the Thai parliament clashed with police and royalist counter-protesters, in the worst violence since a new youth-led protest movement emerged in July.

On Tuesday, Thai lawmakers debated possible changes to the military-scripted constitution as protesters clashed with the police. 

Police fired water cannon and tear gas at protesters who cut through razor-wire barricades and removed concrete barriers outside parliament. The police denied that they had opened fire with live ammunition or rubber bullets, and said they were investigating who might have used firearms.

The protest movement, which has called for deep constitutional reform to a system demonstrators say has entrenched the power of the military, has emerged as the biggest challenge to Thailand's establishment in years.

READ: Thai police fire tear gas, water cannon at parliament protest

Thousands of demonstrators converged on parliament to put pressure on lawmakers discussing changes to the constitution. The protesters also want the removal of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, a former army ruler, and to curb the powers of King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Bangkok's Erawan Medical Centre said at least 55 people were hurt. It said at least 32 were suffering from tear gas and six people had gunshot wounds. It did not say who might have used firearms.

"We tried to avoid clashes," the deputy head of Bangkok police, Piya Tavichai, told a news conference. He said police had tried to push back protesters from parliament and to separate them and the yellow-shirted royalist counter-protesters.

Thai protests Nov 17 (4)
Protesters are seen at Samsen Road near the parliament building in Bangkok on Nov 17, 2020. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)

Protesters advanced on police with makeshift shields, including inflatable pool ducks. After about six hours, police pulled back and abandoned their water trucks, which the protesters mounted and sprayed with graffiti.

"I hereby announce the escalation of the protests. We will not give in. There will be no compromise," Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak told the crowd at the gates of parliament before protesters dispersed.

Thai protests Nov 17 (3)
Protesters are seen at Samsen Road near the parliament building in Bangkok on Nov 17, 2020. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)

Another protest was set for central Bangkok on Wednesday.

Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said police had been obliged to use tear gas and water cannon to keep parliamentarians safe.

In photos: Thai protesters, police clash outside parliament

Prime Minister Prayut took power in 2014 and remained in office after an election last year. He rejects opposition accusations that the election was unfair.

Lawmakers were discussing several proposals for constitutional changes, most of which would exclude the possibility of altering the monarchy's role.

One proposal seeks to replace the military-appointed Senate with directly elected representatives.

It was Senate support that allowed Prayut to hold on to power after last year's election.

Parliament is expected to vote on Wednesday on which amendments are to be debated further.

The vote is expected to take several hours and may not be finished by the time protesters regroup at a major intersection in Bangkok's shopping district of Ratchaprasong at 4pm.

There is also discussion of the role of the upper house Senate, which helped ensure that he kept power with a parliamentary majority after last year's disputed vote.

Some protesters fought with dozens of royalists who had remained behind after an earlier demonstration by hundreds of right-wing Thais calling on lawmakers not to make changes to the constitution.

"Amending the constitution is going to lead to the abolition of the monarchy," royalist leader Warong Dechgitvigrom told reporters. Protesters have said they do not want to abolish the monarchy. 

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2020-11-18 04:41:15Z
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Trump fires top US election cybersecurity official who defended vote - CNA

SAN FRANCISCO: President Donald Trump on Tuesday (Nov 17) fired top US cybersecurity official Chris Krebs in a tweet, accusing him without evidence of making a "highly inaccurate" statement affirming the Nov 3 election was secure and rejecting claims of fraud.

Trump has made debunked allegations that the election was "rigged" and has refused to concede defeat to President-elect Joe Biden. His campaign has filed a flurry of lawsuits in battleground states, although election officials in both parties have said they see no evidence of serious irregularities.

Reuters reported last week that Krebs, who worked on protecting the election from hackers but drew the ire of the Trump White House over efforts to debunk disinformation, had told associates he expected to be fired.

READ: Trump lawyer Giuliani claims voter 'fraud' in long-shot Pennsylvania challenge

Trump said on Twitter that Krebs had assured people in a "highly inaccurate" statement that the election had been secure when there were "massive improprieties and fraud - including dead people voting, Poll Watchers not allowed into polling locations", and voting machine errors that flipped votes from Trump to Biden.

Dozens of election security experts on Monday released a letter saying claims of major hacks were unsubstantiated and absurd on their face.

Twitter slapped warning labels on Trump's posts, noting: "This claim about election fraud is disputed."

Krebs headed the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) from its inception two years ago.

He angered the White House over a website run by CISA dubbed "Rumor Control", which debunks misinformation about the election, according to the three people familiar with the matter.

A CISA spokesperson said the agency had no comment.

READ: Biden brands Trump's refusal to concede an 'embarrassment'

Krebs was not given notice of Trump's plan to fire him, according to a person familiar with the matter, and learned of the decision through Twitter.

CISA executive director Brandon Wales is expected to take over for Krebs as the acting head of the agency on Wednesday, an agency official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

Wales has served in multiple positions within the DHS under the Trump administration and is not seen as a partisan figure, said a former colleague.

The Reuters report last week prompted an outpouring of support from security experts across the country, who praised Krebs for his bipartisan work in the past two years.

The White House's displeasure with Krebs grew over the past year, according to two former US officials, as Trump criticised the security of mail-in voting and Krebs' agency countered by saying it represented a secure way to vote. Mail-in balloting reached a record high this year because of voter concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.

"WE DID IT RIGHT"

On his own Twitter account, Krebs did not back down, writing: "Honored to serve. We did it right. Defend Today, Secure Tomorrow."

White House officials had previously complained about CISA content that pushed back against false claims about the election, including that Democrats were behind a mass election fraud scheme. CISA officials declined to delete accurate information.

Among other things, one associate of Krebs said the White House was angry about a post rejecting a conspiracy theory that falsely claimed an intelligence agency supercomputer and program, purportedly named Hammer and Scorecard, could have flipped votes nationally. No such system exists, according to Krebs, election security experts and former US officials.

READ: Trump backtracks on acknowledging Biden won election, concedes 'nothing'

READ: Trump's silent public outing belies White House in tumult

A spokeswoman for President-elect Joe Biden said: "Chris Krebs should be commended for his service in protecting our elections, not fired for telling the truth."

Trump's move was also quickly denounced by security officials and White House critics.

"Krebs was doing important work defending critical infrastructure and fighting disinformation," said Harri Hursti, an expert on electronic voting security. "His firing is very disappointing and appears to be an attempt to undermine the great work he and others at DHS/CISA have been doing."

Democrat Adam Schiff, who heads the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, said: "The CISA and Director Krebs have worked diligently to safeguard our elections, provide vital support to state and local election officials, and inform the American people about what was true and what was not."

Independent Senator Angus King said Trump was “firing Mr Krebs for simply doing his job".

"I hope that President-elect Biden will recognise Chris’s contributions, and consult with him as the Biden administration charts the future of this critically important agency,” King said.

Senator Ben Sasse, who has been a Trump critic, was among the first Republicans to push back against the decision.

"Chris Krebs did a really good job – as state election officials all across the nation will tell you – and he obviously should not be fired," Sasse said in a statement.

The firing of Krebs comes as Trump is refusing to recognise Biden's victory and removing high-level officials seen as insufficiently loyal.

Trump fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Nov 9, part of a broader shakeup that put Trump loyalists in senior Pentagon positions.

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2020-11-18 03:11:15Z
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At least 55 hurt in Thailand's most violent protests since new movement emerged - CNA

BANGKOK: At least 55 people were hurt, some with gunshot wounds, when demonstrators marching on the Thai parliament clashed with police and royalist counter-protesters, in the worst violence since a new youth-led protest movement emerged in July.

Police fired water cannon and tear gas at protesters who cut through razor-wire barricades and removed concrete barriers outside parliament. The police denied that they had opened fire with live ammunition or rubber bullets, and said they were investigating who might have used firearms.

The protest movement, which has called for deep constitutional reform to a system demonstrators say has entrenched the power of the military, has emerged as the biggest challenge to Thailand's establishment in years.

READ: Thai police fire tear gas, water cannon at parliament protest

Thousands of demonstrators converged on parliament to put pressure on lawmakers discussing changes to the constitution. The protesters also want the removal of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, a former army ruler, and to curb the powers of King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Bangkok's Erawan Medical Centre said at least 55 people were hurt. It said at least 32 were suffering from tear gas and six people had gunshot wounds. It did not say who might have used firearms.

"We tried to avoid clashes," the deputy head of Bangkok police, Piya Tavichai, told a news conference. He said police had tried to push back protesters from parliament and to separate them and the yellow-shirted royalist counter-protesters.

Thai protests Nov 17 (4)
Protesters are seen at Samsen Road near the parliament building in Bangkok on Nov 17, 2020. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)

Protesters advanced on police with makeshift shields, including inflatable pool ducks. After about six hours, police pulled back and abandoned their water trucks, which the protesters mounted and sprayed with graffiti.

"I hereby announce the escalation of the protests. We will not give in. There will be no compromise," Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak told the crowd at the gates of parliament before protesters dispersed.

Thai protests Nov 17 (3)
Protesters are seen at Samsen Road near the parliament building in Bangkok on Nov 17, 2020. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)

Another protest was set for central Bangkok on Wednesday.

Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said police had been obliged to use tear gas and water cannon to keep parliamentarians safe.

In photos: Thai protesters, police clash outside parliament

Prime Minister Prayut took power in 2014 and remained in office after an election last year. He rejects opposition accusations that the election was unfair.

Lawmakers were discussing several proposals for constitutional changes, most of which would exclude the possibility of altering the monarchy's role.

There is also discussion of the role of the upper house Senate, which helped ensure that he kept power with a parliamentary majority after last year's disputed vote.

Some protesters fought with dozens of royalists who had remained behind after an earlier demonstration by hundreds of right-wing Thais calling on lawmakers not to make changes to the constitution.

"Amending the constitution is going to lead to the abolition of the monarchy," royalist leader Warong Dechgitvigrom told reporters. Protesters have said they do not want to abolish the monarchy. 

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2020-11-18 02:57:41Z
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Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine induces quick immune response: Study - CNA

BEIJING: Sinovac Biotech's experimental COVID-19 vaccine CoronaVac triggered a quick immune response but the level of antibodies produced was lower than in people who had recovered from the disease, preliminary trial results showed on Wednesday (Nov 18).

While the early to mid-stage trials were not designed to assess the efficacy of CoronaVac, researchers said it could provide sufficient protection, based on their experience with other vaccines and data from preclinical studies with macaques.

The study comes hot on the heels of upbeat news this month from US drugmakers Pfizer and Moderna as well as Russia that showed their experimental vaccines were more than 90 per cent effective based on interim data from large, late-stage trials.

READ: Moderna says its vaccine is 94.5% effective in preventing COVID-19

CoronaVac and four other experimental vaccines developed in China are currently undergoing late-stage trials to determine their effectiveness in preventing COVID-19.

The Sinovac findings, published in a peer-reviewed paper in medical journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases, came from results in Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials in China involving more than 700 participants.

"Our findings show that CoronaVac is capable of inducing a quick antibody response within four weeks of immunisation by giving two doses of the vaccine at a 14-day interval," Zhu Fengcai, one of the authors of the paper, said.

"We believe that this makes the vaccine suitable for emergency use during the pandemic," Zhu said in a statement published alongside the paper.

A man works in the packaging facility of Chinese vaccine maker Sinovac Biotech
A man works in the packaging facility of Chinese vaccine maker Sinovac Biotech, developing an experimental coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, during a government-organized media tour in Beijing, China, Sep 24, 2020. (Photo: REUTERS/Thomas Peter)

Researchers said the findings from large, late-stage studies, or Phase 3 trials, would be crucial to determine if the immune response generated by CoronaVac was sufficient to protect people from the coronavirus infection.

Sinovac is currently running three Phase 3 trials in Indonesia, Brazil and Turkey.

Naor Bar-Zeev from Johns Hopkins University, who was not involved in the study, said the results must be interpreted with caution until Phase 3 results are published.

"But even then, after Phase 3 trial completion and after licensure, we should prudently remain cautious," he said.

'ATTRACTIVE OPTION'

CoronaVac is one of three experimental COVID-19 vaccines China has been using to inoculate hundreds of thousands of people under an emergency use programme.

The two other vaccines in China's emergency programme, both developed by institutes linked to Sinopharm, and another vaccine from CanSino Biologics, were also shown to be safe and triggered immune responses in early and mid-stage trials, according to peer-reviewed papers.

Gang Zeng, a Sinovac researcher involved in the CoronaVac study, said the vaccine could be an attractive option because it can be stored at normal fridge temperatures of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius and may remain stable for up to three years.

"(It) would offer some advantages for distribution to regions where access to refrigeration is challenging," the author said.

By contrast, vaccines developed by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna use a new technology called synthetic messenger RNA (mRNA) to activate the immune system against the virus and require far colder storage.

Pfizer's vaccine must be stored and transported at -70 degrees Celsius though it can be kept in a normal fridge for up to five days, or up to 15 days in a thermal shipping box. Moderna's candidate is expected to be stable at normal fridge temperatures for 30 days but for storage of up to six months it needs to be kept at -20 degrees Celsius.

READ: Pfizer to start pilot delivery programme for its COVID-19 vaccine in 4 US states

CoronaVac is also being considered by Brazil and Indonesia for inoculations in the coming months.

Indonesia has sought emergency authorisation to start a mass vaccination campaign by the end of the year and vaccines produced by Sinovac and China's Sinopharm are slated to be used in the early stages of the campaign.

Brazil's Sao Paulo also plans to roll out CoronaVac as early as January and has agreed on a supply deal with Sinovac.

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments

Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram

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2020-11-18 00:03:54Z
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