First batch of domestically produced Covid-19 vaccines to be delivered this week, Myanmar regime says

By DMG 28 Apr 2022

DMG Newsroom
28 April 2022, Naypyitaw 

Myanmar’s military regime says its Industry Ministry has produced 1 million doses of a “Myancopharm” Covid-19 vaccine in cooperation with China, and the vaccines will be delivered to the Health Ministry on Friday. 

“The Myancopharm Covid-19 vaccine has been certified by the Food and Drug Administration of the Health Ministry. One million doses will be delivered to the Health Ministry as of April 29. We will domestically produce Covid-19 vaccines and will take more effective Covid-19 control measures,” said junta spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun. 

Two experts from China reportedly assisted and supervised the Myancopharm Covid-19 vaccine’s production in Myanmar. The vaccines are being jointly bottled in Myanmar by Chinese state-owned firm China National Pharmaceutical Group Corporation, commonly known as Sinopharm, and Myanmar’s Industry Ministry. 

Dr. Soe Win Paing, assistant director of the Arakan State Public Health Department, told DMG that he was aware of the Myancopharm Covid-19 vaccine’s production, but had little knowledge of the specifics. 

“I know that a Covid-19 vaccine called Myancopharm will be produced in Myanmar. However, I haven’t heard about it. It is good that we can produce Covid-19 vaccines,” he said. 

Domestic production of a Covid-19 vaccine is a positive development for the Myanmar people, said the chairman of Rakhine Covid Watch, U Tun Hlaing. 

“It is good that we can produce Covid-19 vaccines locally, which will largely benefit the people,” he told DMG. 

At a press conference on Wednesday, regime spokesman Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun said the junta is trying to achieve 100 percent Covid-19 vaccine coverage by May.