BIBP’s COVID-19 Vaccine Approved for Emergency Use in Sri Lanka

In the evening of March 19 local time, Channa Jayasumana, State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals of Sri Lanka, announced that the National Medicines Regulatory Authority had granted emergency use approval to the Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccine (Vero Cell) developed by Beijing Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd. (BIBP), China National Biotec Group Company Limited (CNBG), Sinopharm (BIBP’s COVID-19 Vaccine) in Sri Lanka.

      Sri Lanka launched the COVID-19 Vaccination Program on January 29 this year, the first tier of vaccination includes medical staff, police and troops, whom on the frontline of fighting against the pandemic. On February 15, the Sri Lankan government announced that the generalization of COVID-19 vaccination, starting with the susceptible population in high-risk areas.

     As of 7:00 a.m. on March 20 local time, Sri Lanka reported a total of 89,497 confirmed cases and 544 deaths, according to the data released by the health department of Sri Lanka.