VACCINATION

Chinese Sinopharm Vaccine opens chemical agency in the region

Sinopharm is a two-dose vaccine with a 28-day gap between first, and second dose.

In Summary

• Its storage condition is 2 to 8 degrees, hence suitable in the cold chain storage capacity that Kenya has in its vaccine stores.

• Kenya has previously received numerous doses of Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccines to boost its fight against the virus.

A vial labelled "Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccine" is seen in this illustration taken January 16, 2022.
A vial labelled "Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccine" is seen in this illustration taken January 16, 2022.
Image: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

China National Biotec Group Limited, (CNBG), which is a subsidiary of China National Pharmaceutical Group Corporation (SINOPHARM) has opened its distribution agent registered as SINOPHARM East Africa Limited with a regional presence in Kenya.

Kenya has previously received numerous doses of Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccines to boost its fight against the virus.

The consignments were delivered courtesy of Kenya's strong bilateral relations with China.

The first batch of 200,000 Sinopharm Covid-19 Vaccine doses from China arrived in Kenya last year, cementing the cordial relationship between the two countries.

Sinopharm vaccine is a two-dose vaccine with a 28-day gap between the first and second dose.

Its storage condition is 2 to 8 degrees, hence suitable in the cold chain storage capacity that Kenya has in its vaccine stores.

“Sinopharm is also available through the Government of Kenya engagement with the COVAX mechanism, and we shall be getting more supplies through that platform in the near future as and when available,” Health CS Mutahi Kagwe said during the reception of the vaccine last year.

As the first manufacturer of vaccines, and blood products in China and with 6 Biological Products Institutes and 13 secondary subsidiary companies in-house, CNBG has been devoted to the research, development, production, and supply of biological products since 1919.

According to WHO, the Sinopharm product is an inactivated vaccine called Covid-19 Vaccine (Vero Cell), Inactivated.

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