The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is still evaluating the Sinovac vaccine from China, Director of Medical Services Kenneth Mak said in a press conference on May 18.

According to Mak, HSA still requires "outstanding items of information" from the manufacturer, in order to be assured that the vaccine is both safe and effective for use.

Meanwhile, HSA is also tracking the use of Sinovac in other countries and exploring whether the information on how it's used in other countries can also be part of the evaluation process.

Mak added that they are aware that the World Health Organization is in the process of evaluating the vaccine, and may come to a decision "very soon" on whether to approve the vaccine for use as part of its global programme to provide vaccines for countries around the world.

He said:

"HSA remains committed to making sure that if it approves the vaccine, it will be on the basis of assuring Singaporeans that it is both safe and effective for use."

The manufacturer has informed the authorities that the Sinovac vaccines has a "shelf-life" of up to two years.

The first shipment of the Sinovac vaccine arrived in Singapore in Feb. 2021, as part of advance purchase agreements that the government made with various vaccine manufacturers.

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Top image from MCI.