Myanmar will now permit the private sector to import vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration, according to Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in his February 11 report. 

These include vaccines from Russia, China and India. “We will also allow the private sector to import the vaccine in line with COVID-19 rules and regulations,” he said, adding that this will enable vaccinations to be administered more efficiently without delays. 

In Myanmar, most health workers, volunteers and high-ranking officials of the health departments have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in the first round of vaccinations conducted recently.

Elderly people aged 65 years and above have also received the vaccines, purchased from India. Meanwhile, a second batch of two million doses of the Covishield vaccines from India has been delivered. 

However, mass protests taking place across the country for almost a week now and many have been seen not wearing masks as they gathered together in public. 

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing urged the people to avoid assembling as this could increase the rate of COVID-19 infections and called for tests to be accelerated. He also called for health workers, particularly those from public hospitals, to return to work. 

He said containing the spread of COVID-19 is necessary for business recovery in Myanmar.