The Chinese Government is awaiting the greenlight from the Fijian Government to donate Sinovac vaccine to Fiji.

This was revealed by the Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Qian Bo during a press briefing at the Chinese Embassy in Suva on Tuesday.

He said the vaccine was ready, however they were waiting approval from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for delivery.

He said China had produced four different types of vaccines for COVID-19, two of which are still waiting WHO approval.

“China had donated vaccines to more than 69 countries and more than 29 countries purchased the vaccine from China,” Mr Qian said.

Meanwhile, Global Times reported that there were possibilities that WHO would approve Sinovac vaccines by the end of this month.

In the report, WHO spokesperson Dr Margaret Harris said the Chinese Sinovac jab was currently in the last stage of clinical evaluation.

“Certainly, we are looking at the Chinese vaccine and there is the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to consider, and we are looking at a number of others,” Dr Harris said.

Members of the media and university scholars during a briefing with the Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Qian Bo on March 16, 2021. Photo: Embassy of the People’s Republic of China

The Global Times learned from Sinovac CEO Yin Weidong earlier this month that during the on-site inspection of the Sinovac’s factory, WHO gave them very pertinent and significant suggestions on improving medical quality.

“We will receive the official evaluation document soon from the WHO team and will make improvements based on the evaluation. The WHO’s approval is crucial because it will enable us to provide vaccines to more countries,” Yin said.

Ministry of Health and Medical Services Permanent Secretary, Doctor James Fong, said it was possible to get the Sinovac vaccine from China but that they would wait for WHO’s position statement first before moving ahead.

Edited by Selita Rabuku

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