The Government says it is prepared to consider a single-shot vaccine to be administered against the COVID-19 virus, such as the single-shot Johnson & Johnson’s coronavirus vaccine which was formally approved by the US regulators recently.
According to the Daily Mirror, Health Ministry sources said if approved by the local regulator then the vaccine will be considered, as it is cost-effective and can be stored in a refrigerator instead of a freezer.
The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) is yet to receive a request to approve the single-shot Johnson & Johnson’s coronavirus vaccine.
The Chief Executive Officer of the NMRA Dr. Kamal Jayasinghe said the NMRA has received requests for approval of other vaccines, such as India’s indigenous COVID-19 vaccine by Bharat Biotech, Sputnik 5 vaccine from Russia and Sinopharm vaccine from China.
Dr. Jayasinghe said despite discussions held earlier with Pfizer with regards to the Pfizer-biontech vaccine, it is yet to receive a request for approval.
Sri Lanka has so far approved the use of the Oxford AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine from the Serum Institute of India.
The Government has also commenced administering it to those identified as part of vulnerable groups, and a select section of the general public. (NewsWire)