China proves first self-developed COVID-19 vaccine: Reuters

Screenshot shows the Reuters news report published on Dec. 31, 2020.

China approved its first self-developed COVID-19 vaccine for general public use on Dec. 31, 2020 to face greater transmission risks over the winter, according to a news report published by Reuters on the same day.

The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) announced the approval of the inactivated vaccine developed by the China National Pharmaceutical Group, or Sinopharm at a press conference,

It showed 79.34 percent efficacy against COVID-19 based on the interim data of the phase-3 clinical trials, said by its developer, Beijing Biological Products Institute, Co., Ltd. under the China National Biotech Group (CNBG), which is affiliated with Sinopharm.

More detailed data on the vaccine would be released later, and it would be published in scientific journals, said Wu Yonglin, president of the CNBG.

The vaccine would be provided free of charge for the public in China, said Zengyixin, deputy head of the National Health Commission (NHC).

Early in December, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced the official registration of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Sinopharm. Pakistan has also decided to pre-book COVID-19 vaccine from Sinopharm and has announced a 1.2 million dose purchase deal.

For more information, find the original article at https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccine-china/china-gives-its-first-covid-19-vaccine-approval-to-sinopharm-idUSKBN29505P