#CucukThaiAZ: AstraZeneca vaccine made in Thailand given the nod by Malaysian drug authority - The Star Online

PETALING JAYA: Conditional registration has been approved for AstraZeneca vaccines produced in Thailand, says Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

The Health director-general said this was decided at the meeting of the Drug Control Authority (DCA) which took place on Friday (June 4).

“The meeting has decided to grant approval for conditional registration for the Covid-19 vaccine AstraZeneca Solution for Injection, produced by Siam Bioscience in Thailand, for emergency use.

“This second manufacturer will be the main source of AstraZeneca vaccines for use in the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme in the country,” he said in a statement on Friday.

Previously, Malaysia approved conditional registration for AstraZeneca vaccines produced by Medimmune Pharma B.V., the Netherlands, on March 2.

On April 2, the DCA also approved conditional registration for AstraZeneca vaccines supplied through the Covax facility by South Korean manufacturer SK Bioscience.

Dr Noor Hisham clarified that Malaysia is receiving AstraZeneca vaccines through two channels, direct from the manufacturer and through the Covax facility.

“Malaysia received vaccines from the Covax facility in April. The supply of AstraZeneca vaccines that will be received from Siam Bioscience is expected to ramp up vaccination rates,” he said.

He added that AstraZeneca, as the vaccine’s product registration holder, had to furnish additional updated data of the vaccine in order to ensure the quality, efficacy and safety of the product.

“The government is committed to ensure that all Malaysian adults can achieve herd immunity in line with the Immunisation Programme’s target,” he said.