Sri Lankan medical experts have  expressed concerns over using 600,000 COVID-19 vaccines made by Sinopharm, given by China to the island country.

The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) in a statement signed by AMS president, Consultant Surgeon Dr. Lalantha Ranasinghe, said that an independent panel of experts was appointed by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) to review all submissions related to candidate vaccines and provide scientific advice for emergency use approval in Sri Lanka, reports Daily Mirror.

“We are also aware that in their report dated March 17, 2021, that the panel concluded that there is insufficient data provided to make a determination on the safety, efficacy and immunogenicity of the Sinopharm vaccine. This observation was made after reviewing all data made available by the manufacturer of the vaccine. It was accordingly concluded that the Sinopharm vaccine should not be used in Sri Lanka under the present circumstances,” the statement read.

The Chinese vaccines were brought in at the request of the President and it will be first provided to Chinese national residents in Sri Lanka in close coordination with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka, Army Chief and head of the COVID task force General Shavendra Silva was quoted as saying by Daily Mirror.(IBNS)