THE Sinovac vaccine is safe for children and adolescents, with more than 63 million doses administered to individuals aged 12 to 17 in China, said Pharmaniaga Bhd.

The pharmaceutical company in a statement today said the adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) analysis of 63 million vaccinations suggests that the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine has an overall good safety profile among the child population, adding that the data collected is mainly routine injection site events with normal symptoms.

Health Director-General Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah today announced that the Drug Control Authority (DCA) has approved the use of the Sinovac vaccine for children and adolescents.

Pharmaniaga group managing director Zulkarnain Md Eusope said the Sinovac vaccine has been widely administered to the younger population aged 12 to 17 in China, and that there is no record on any safety risk information of AEFI related to the vaccination so far.

The Covid-19 vaccine will be made available soon as an option for parents at selected clinics and private hospitals, said the statement, adding that normal symptoms include mild dizziness and nausea.

“The Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine is developed using inactivated virus, which is a well-established technology of more than 40 years and also commonly used in many types of vaccines, including polio, rabies and Hepatitis A.”

Noor Hisham had last week said the Sinovac vaccine for adolescents aged 12 and above is allowed, as agreed at the 364th meeting of the DCA. – Bernama, October 4, 2021.