A box from the first batch of Sinopharm vaccines – Photo: MTI

Sinopharm vaccine to be first applied next week

Chief medical officer: China jab conforms to manufacturer’s specifications

An analysis by Hungary's public health authority has shown that China's Sinopharm coronavirus vaccine conforms to the manufacturer's specifications, the chief medical officer said on Friday, adding that the jab could be put to use once it is approved by the drug regulator.

Addressing an online press briefing of the operative board responsible for handling the epidemic, Cecilia Muller noted that Hungary this week received 550,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine. The National Public Health Authority (NNK) has assessed the vaccine along with its documentation and submitted its findings to the National Institute of Pharmacy and Nutrition (OGYEI), she said.

Plans are to begin administering the vaccine to the public once it is granted authorisation by the OGYEI, Muller said, noting Hungary’s shortage of other vaccines.

The vaccine is stored in single doses at 2-8 degrees Celsius, Muller said. It is approved to all demographics above the age of 18, except for expectant mothers, she added. Full inoculation sets in after two doses administered 21 days apart, she said.

The vaccine contains full, inactive coronaviruses, which is likely to elicit a stronger immune response, she said, adding that the virus is in use in 13 countries already.

So far, Hungary has received 1,474,715 doses of coronavirus vaccine from various manufacturers, enough to inoculate 737,267 people, she said.

Chinese vaccine to be first applied in Hungary next week

Inoculation of Hungarians against coronavirus with the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine will start next week, koronavirus.gov.hu reported on Friday. According to the portal, Hungary has so far received vaccines enough to inoculate a total 737,000 people, including Pfizer for 335,000, Sinopharm for 275,000, AstraZeneca for 84,000, Sputnik V for 23,000, and Moderna for 20,000. Further supplies of the Russian and Chinese vaccines are expected to inoculate another 3.5 million people, the portal said, adding that Sputnik V was already being used to vaccinate the elderly.

So far, 391,821 people have received at least the first shot, while 152,432 have been fully vaccinated with both jabs.

Hungarian authorities have reserved a total 26,737,710 doses of various vaccines, of which 1,474,715 doses have been delivered, the portal said.

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