One million doses of Covid-19 vaccine from Sinopharm have passed a quality control test to ensure the lot, which was shipped from China, is safe for use.

The Department of Medical Sciences said the first lot of Sinopharm vaccine arrived in Thailand on June 20, ordered by Chulabhorn Royal Academy (CRA) as an alternative to currently available options.

All vaccines must be tested by the department first before they are released for public use.

It is one of the country's first alternative vaccines.

The department's chief said tests on the vaccine checked its safety, together with its physical and chemical appearance, to ensure they meet standards set by the Food and Drug Administration.

The CRA updated the vaccine allocation plan on its Facebook page, saying that 6,437 companies and organisations will get the vaccine to 779,300 people by August at the latest.

The CRA said the first lot of Sinopharm vaccines will be ready for those who registered during June 14 to 15.