Sinovac COVID vaccine approved for use in Singapore: MOH - Yahoo Singapore News

An employee works on the production line of COVID-19 vaccine at a workshop of the Beijing-based Sinovac Life Sciences, affiliated with Sinovac Biotech, on 1 June, 2021, in Beijing, China. (PHOTO: VCG via Getty Images)

SINGAPORE — Authorities confirmed on Wednesday (2 June) that China's Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine can be administered in Singapore under the special access route for private healthcare providers, a day after it was approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Under the route, private healthcare providers in Singapore can import and administer alternative COVID-19 vaccines to address unmet medical needs, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on Monday. 

Only those on the WHO's emergency use listing will be allowed for use here under the route, including Oxford-AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, and Sinopharm.

Sinovac's CoronaVac is the second Chinese vaccine to be authorised by the WHO for emergency use, following Sinopharm listing, approved about a month ago.

Vaccines imported under the special access route in Singapore will not be subsidised and those taking them will not be eligible for the vaccine injury financial assistance programme for COVID-19 vaccination.

To date, only the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines have been approved for use in Singapore's national vaccination drive. CoronaVac has yet to be approved by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for such usage, despite Singapore receiving the first shipment of some 200,000 doses of the vaccine in February. 

Health minister and COVID-19 taskforce co-chair Ong Ye Kung on Monday had said that licensed health care institutions can apply to the MOH to draw on Singapore's existing stock of 200,000 Sinovac doses to administer to those who wish to have it.

However, the Health Ministry has since clarified that it is still assessing this. 

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2021-06-02 12:25:34Z
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Crippled Singapore-registered ship at risk of sinking off Sri Lanka - The Straits Times

COLOMBO (AFP) - A burnt-out container ship that had already caused Sri Lanka's worst maritime environmental disaster was in imminent danger of sinking on Wednesday (June 2) with several hundred tonnes of oil still in its fuel tanks, the Sri Lankan navy said.

The MV X-Press Pearl, carrying hundreds of tonnes of chemicals and plastics, burned for 13 days within sight of the island's coast before rescue workers finally managed to extinguish the blaze on Tuesday.

The operator of the container ship, X-Press Feeders, confirmed in a press release that salvors had reported no visible flames aboard the vessel, though smoke was still emitting intermittently from cargo holds. 

"An inspection team was able to board the vessel on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 1, and reported the engine room flooded. There are now concerns over the amount of water in the hull and its effect on the ship's stability," the press release said. 

A huge amount of plastic debris has already inundated beaches, and the authorities now fear an even greater disaster should the 278 tonnes of bunker oil and 50 tonnes of gas in the Singapore-registered ship's fuel tanks leak into the Indian Ocean.

As tugboats on Wednesday began trying to tow the ship farther out to sea, navy spokesman Indika de Silva said it was "facing an imminent risk of going down".

Fisheries Minister Kanchana Wijesekera tweeted that the salvage company involved in the operation "has indicated that the vessel is sinking at the current location".

An AFP photographer at Sarakkuwa, just north of the Colombo port, said the vessel's stern was underwater.

An official involved in the mitigation efforts said earlier that local experts feared the vessel was unstable.

"The fire-fighting efforts also saw a lot of water sprayed onto the decks. Much of that water has settled in the stern, which is down by about a metre," the official told AFP.

"We can't pump that water out because it is contaminated with oil."

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Tuesday ordered the ship moved to minimise potential coastal damage.

"(The experts') suggestion, then, was to take the vessel to the deep seas to minimise possible damage to the marine environment," his office said.

The Sri Lankan navy helped Dutch salvage company Smit to establish a tow connection with its tug to move the vessel away from the anchorage of the Colombo port, about 15km from the coast.

Smoke billowing from the MV X-Press Pearl as vessels try to douse off the fire on May 30, 2021. PHOTO: AFP

The inundation of microplastic granules from the ship's containers has already forced a fishing ban and prompted concern for the wildlife and environment. 

Meanwhile, contractors continued working with the local authorities for a fifth day to dispose of any debris that had washed ashore. 

The ship was also carrying 25 tonnes of nitric acid, which leaked and then caught on fire.

Officials believe the blaze destroyed most of the nearly 1,500 containers onboard.

Marine Environment Protection Authority chief Dharshani Lahandapura said the ecological damage is still being assessed, but he believed it was the "worst ever in my lifetime".

Members of Sri Lankan navy removing debris washed ashore from the MV X-Press Pearl, off Sri Lanka's Colombo Harbour, on May 31, 2021. PHOTO: AFP

Mr Rajapaksa asked Australia on Monday to help evaluate the ecological damage to the island, one of the most biodiverse countries in South Asia.

Sri Lanka has launched a criminal investigation into the fire and the marine pollution.

Police said that the captain and chief engineer, both Russian nationals, as well as a third officer, have been questioned.

A court had ordered on Tuesday the passports of all three to be impounded, pending investigations.

The ship was heading to Colombo from Gujarat, India, when the blaze started, having previously visited Qatar and Dubai where the containers of nitric acid had been loaded.

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2021-06-02 08:01:59Z
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As COVID-19 cases edge up, Taiwan unveils mass vaccination plan - CNA

TAIPEI: Taiwan reported a rise in domestic coronavirus infections on Wednesday (Jun 2) after six days of falls, and unveiled details of a mass vaccination plan that aims to eventually cover 1.7 million people a week.

After months of relative safety, Taiwan is battling a spike in community infections, placing curbs on gatherings and ordering entertainment venues closed, while urging people to stay at home as much as possible.

Announcing 549 new infections, including 177 added to recent days' tallies in reflection of delays in reporting positive tests, Health Minister Chen Shih-chung said the trend was stable, although it was not falling.

Cases rose rapidly in the past 24 hours in the capital, Taipei, and a neighbouring city, where infections are heavily concentrated, he added.

"It looks like it's not falling, and is sometimes still going up," Chen said. "As much as possible don't go out and wear a mask."

Wednesday's infections were up from Tuesday's figure of 327 domestic cases.

READ: Taiwan struggles with COVID-19 testing backlog amid largest outbreak

READ: Germany says it has been helping on Taiwan's BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine deal

The economic ministry set limits on the numbers of visitors to wet markets, amid concerns that the shops of food and vegetable vendors could become virus hot spots.

Taiwan has vaccinated just about 3 per cent of its 23.5 million people, but has millions of shots on order and has begun preparing for a mass vaccination programme.

Chen said he did not know which further vaccines might arrive before the end of the month, but warned a global supply shortage could be a concern.

Authorities plan eventually to be able to vaccinate up to 1.7 million people a week, and are working to build a simple booking system with lots of vaccination sites, said Chuang Jen-hsiang, an official of the Taiwan Centres for Disease Control.

So far, Taiwan has received only the Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines. It has blamed China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, for blocking a deal for BioNTech doses. Beijing denies the charges.

Taiwan has reported 9,389 cases since the pandemic began, including 149 deaths.

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and its developments

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2021-06-02 10:32:18Z
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WHO approves China's Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine - CNA

GENEVA: The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday (Jun 1) approved the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use - the second Chinese jab to receive the WHO's green light.

The UN health agency signed off on the two-dose vaccine, which is already being deployed in several countries around the world.

"WHO today validated the Sinovac-CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use," it said in a statement.

The move gives countries, funders, procuring agencies and communities "assurance that it meets international standards for safety, efficacy and manufacturing".

Last month Sinopharm became the first Chinese vaccine to be approved by the WHO.

The organisation has also given emergency use listing to vaccines being made by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and the AstraZeneca jab being produced in India, South Korea and the EU, which it counts separately.

WHO's listing paves the way for countries worldwide to quickly approve and import a vaccine for distribution, especially those states without an international-standard regulator of their own.

It also opens the door for the jabs to enter the COVAX global vaccine-sharing scheme, which aims to provide equitable access to doses around the world, particularly in poorer countries.

Currently only AstraZeneca and some Pfizer jabs are flowing through the scheme.

"The world desperately needs multiple COVID-19 vaccines to address the huge access inequity across the globe," said Mariangela Simao, the WHO's assistant director general for access to health products.

"We urge manufacturers to participate in the COVAX facility, share their know-how and data and contribute to bringing the pandemic under control."

The Sinovac jab is already in use in 22 territories around the world, according to an AFP count.

Apart from China, the countries using Sinovac include Chile, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Thailand and Turkey.

The WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation have reviewed the jab and published their advice on its usage.

"WHO recommends the vaccine for use in adults 18 years and older, in a two-dose schedule with a spacing of two to four weeks," the agency said.

"Vaccine efficacy results showed that the vaccine prevented symptomatic disease in 51 per cent of those vaccinated and prevented severe COVID-19 and hospitalisation in 100 per cent of the studied population."

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and its developments

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2021-06-01 15:13:47Z
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WHO approves Sinovac Biotech’s Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use - South China Morning Post

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1. WHO approves Sinovac Biotech’s Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use  South China Morning Post
2. WHO approves Sinovac's Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use  The Straits Times
3. WHO approves China's Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine  CNA
4. Controversy over jabs offers lessons in vaccine development for China  South China Morning Post
5. Vietnam seeking to produce Covid-19 vaccines for Covax scheme  The Straits Times
6. View Full coverage on Google News

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2021-06-01 15:05:09Z
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Empty streets, shuttered malls as Malaysia begins third nationwide COVID-19 lockdown - CNA

KUALA LUMPUR: Main roads in Malaysia fell silent on Tuesday (Jun 1) as the country began its third nationwide lockdown amid a surging third wave of COVID-19 that has hit record levels in recent weeks.

Only essential businesses, such as supermarkets and medical clinics, are allowed to continue with business during the first phase of the lockdown, from Jun 1 to Jun 14.

Most schools are closed and shopping malls have also been shuttered.

Only two people from each household are allowed to go out to buy essentials or for medical services, with movement limited to a 10km radius. Travel between most parts of the country has been banned for months.

READ: Malaysia’s daily COVID-19 cases may hit 13,000 by mid-June if regulations are not followed: Health ministry

A view of Mass Rapid Transit train during a lockdown in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Jun 1, 2021. (Photo: Reuters/Lim Huey Teng)

A view of deserted roads during a lockdown in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Jun 1, 2021. (Photo: Reuters/Lim Huey Teng)

The latest outbreak has been more severe, partly due to highly transmissible variants. It has also strained the health service, prompting some in the capital Kuala Lumpur to question whether enough has been done.

"For me, the lockdown should have been carried out during Ramadan when there were fewer cases and people didn’t move around as much," said bank manager Muhammad Azril Maridzuan, referring to the Muslim fasting month that ended in mid-May.

"Now, people are moving around more. So it's a little late but a lockdown is okay to reduce our infection rates," he said.

READ: More than 82,300 children in Malaysia have tested positive for COVID-19 so far: Health ministry

A policeman inspects a GrabFood rider's delivery box at a roadblock during the nationwide lockdown, in Kuala Lumpur on Jun 1, 2021. (Photo: AFP/Mohd Rasfan)

Police inspect the travel documents of motorists at a roadblock during the nationwide lockdown, in Kuala Lumpur on Jun 1, 2021. (Photo: AFP/Mohd Rasfan)

More than 800 roadblocks have been set up throughout the country alongside the deployment of about 55,000 police officers.

Traffic appeared lighter in parts of the often congested capital, with cars moving smoothly around the landmark 88-storey Petronas Twin Towers.

Home minister Hamzah Zainudin said vehicle movement on roads dropped by about 70 per cent on average. Any congestion at roadblocks was due to the authorities ensuring road users followed the regulations, he added.

READ: Duopharma Biotech inks deal with Malaysia to supply Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine

View of an empty street in the Chinatown area of Kuala Lumpur on Jun 1, 2021. (Photo: Bernama)

View of an empty street in Kuala Lumpur on Jun 1, 2021. (Photo: Bernama)

Another Kuala Lumpur resident was also worried about the scope of the latest curbs.

"I think even with the new restrictions, the airports are still open so there is still a potential that COVID-19 can spread even while the people are struggling (under lockdown) right now," said Siti, a 25-year-old food delivery rider, who declined to give her full name.

Malaysia on Monday announced an additional RM40 billion (US$9.7 billion) stimulus package, as the finance minister warned on Tuesday that this year's economic growth forecast of 6 per cent to 7.5 per cent may have to be revised down due to the new lockdown measures.

READ: Malaysian volunteer undertakers struggle to cope as COVID-19 cases surge

View of an empty street in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Jun 1, 2021. (Photo: Bernama)

View of an empty street in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Jun 1, 2021. (Photo: Bernama)

The number of new daily COVID-19 cases has been greater than India's on a per capita basis, although infections have come down since hitting a record on Saturday, Reuters reported.

While there had been growing calls for tougher action, the two-week lockdown will deal a fresh blow to many businesses that have struggled to stay afloat over the past year.

"The impact of the coronavirus on small businesses like mine is devastating," said Lilian Chua, whose hair salon outside Kuala Lumpur will have to close.

"The government imposes a lockdown but the virus is in the air - they need to speed up vaccinations," the 42-year-old told AFP.

Fewer than 6 per cent of Malaysia's population have so far received at least one vaccine dose.

READ: Malaysia probes allegations of underdosage of COVID-19 shots

A policeman inspects the travel documents of a passenger on a bus at a roadblock in Kuala Lumpur on Jun 1, 2021. (Photo: AFP/Mohd Rasfan)

A view of a deserted bridge during a lockdown in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Jun 1, 2021. (Photo: Reuters/Lim Huey Teng)

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) on Tuesday said there has been a lack of engagement with private general practitioners on their involvement in the national COVID-19 immunisation programme. 

Malaysia's vaccination drive, which began in February, is now in its second phase. As of May 31, more than 3 million doses of vaccine have been administered. More than 12 million people - half of the total target - have registered for vaccination. 

As of Tuesday, Malaysia has reported a total of 579,462 COVID-19 cases, of which 80,474 are currently active or infectious. There have been 2,867 fatalities to date.

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic 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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2021-06-01 13:30:58Z
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Malaysian air force scrambles hawk jets after Chinese military planes detected near its national airspace - CNA

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian air force said on Tuesday (Jun 1) that it scrambled its jets to conduct a visual confirmation, after Chinese military transport planes were detected heading towards its national airspace and threatened the country’s sovereignty. 

In a statement, the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) said it identified 16 People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) planes making suspicious flights in Malaysia’s maritime zone air space, the Kota Kinabalu Flight Information Region (FIR) and approaching the Malaysian national airspace on May 31. 

The planes were identified by the RMAF’s defence radar in Sarawak at 11.53am, said the statement. 

It also said that the planes flew in an in-trail tactical formation 60 nautical miles from one another. 

“The planes flew in that formation using the same point of entry and exit. The planes then changed (direction), heading to the Beting Patinggi Ali air space which is important to the country.” 

The PLAAF planes then flew via Singapore FIR before entering the Malaysia maritime zone air space and the Kota Kinabalu FIR, the RMAF statement said, adding that the Chinese planes approached within 60 nautical miles of  Sarawak beach, “threatening Malaysia’s sovereignty”. 

The RMAF then put its Hawk 208 jets from No. 6 squadron on high alert, said the statement.  

“The PLAAF planes were put under continued radar surveillance and were instructed to contact controllers in the Kota Kinabalu FIR. When these instructions were not heeded and the PLAAF planes crossed Kota Kinabalu FIR and headed towards the national airspace, the Malaysia Air Force scrambled intercepting jets at 1.33pm to perform a visual identification.” 

“As a result of the air interception carried out, the RMAF has identified the aircraft as Ilyushin Il-76 and Xian Y-20 aircraft. These types of aircraft are strategic transport aircraft and capable of performing various missions. This incident is a serious matter that threatens national sovereignty and aviation safety, based on the density of air traffic in the airline routes in Kota Kinabalu FIR”. 

“This incident was handled by the Malaysian Air Force based on protocols by the ICAO and our national air defence strategy. The foreign ministry has taken note of this through the defence ministry,” the statement added. 

READ: Malaysia should not be 'dragged and trapped' between superpowers in South China Sea dispute, says Hishammuddin

China claims much of the South China Sea, but there are also overlapping claims by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. 

Washington and its allies have also challenged Beijing’s territorial claims. 

In April last year, Malaysian Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein called for calm in the South China Sea and reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to peace in the disputed waters. 

This came after reports that a Chinese government survey ship was "tagging" an exploration vessel operated by Malaysia's state oil company Petronas in the South China Sea. 

CNA has reached out to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore for comments.

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2021-06-01 13:02:15Z
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