 |
| Sinovac estimated that more than 100 million doses have been administered worldwide. (File photo by=REUTERS) |
[Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] A third production line for its COVID-19 vaccine has been put into use, doubling its annual capacity of the jabs to 2 billion doses, a Chinese biopharmaceutical firm Sinovac said on Friday (Apr 2) a, according to AFP.
Its CoronaVac is one of four domestic vaccines given conditional approval by Chinese authorities, which helps rush emergency drugs to market. On Wednesday, experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) said an interim analysis of clinical trial data from two Chinese vaccines, including Sinovac's product, showed they demonstrated "safety and good efficacy", although more data is still needed. "Over 200 million doses of CoronaVac have been delivered to over 20 countries, including China," said Sinovac in its latest statement.
Although Sinovac's jabs were approved by domestic regulators, it has yet to receive authorization by what the WHO considers "a stringent regulatory authority", noted the UN health agency's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization. Sinovac is among Chinese firms to have submitted data in applications for the WHO's emergency use listing, which opens the door for the jabs to join the global COVAX program, which aims to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccinations.
