WHO approves Chinese vaccines for emergency use

Simon Collins, HIV i-Base

On 1 June 2020, the WHO approved the Chinese CoronaVac (Sinovac) vaccine against COVID-19. [1]

This was based on limited research that included 51% efficacy against symptomatic infection and 100% efficacy at preventing hospitalisation and death.

Phase 3 studies are currently ongoing in Brazil, Chile, Indonesia, and Turkey and results from a large prospective national vaccine programme in Chile were just published in the NEJM. [2]

This is the second Chinese vaccine to be given WHO emergency use approval. On 7 May 2020, the WHO approved the Sinopharm vaccine developed by the Beijing Institute of Biological Products. [3]

Both vaccines have already been widely used in low-income countries. However, WHO approval means they can be included in the international COVAX programme. Both vaccines use inactivated virus.

The WHO have also approved vaccines by Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and the Serum Institute of India (CoviShield). [4]

References

1. WHO validates Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use and issues interim policy recommendations. (1 June 2021).
   https://www.who.int/news/item/01-06-2021-who-validates-sinovac-covid-19-vaccine-for-emergency-use-and-issues-interim-policy-recommendations
2. Jara A et al. Effectiveness of an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in Chile. NEJM. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2107715. (7 July 2021).
   https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2107715
3. WHO lists additional COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use and issues interim policy recommendations. (7 May 2021).
   https://www.who.int/news/item/07-05-2021-who-lists-additional-covid-19-vaccine-for-emergency-use-and-issues-interim-policy-recommendations
4. WHO. Status of COVID-19 Vaccines within WHO EUL/PQ evaluation process. (2 July 2021).
   https://extranet.who.int/pqweb/sites/default/files/documents/Status_COVID_VAX_02July2021.pdf (PDF)

This report was first published on 7 July 2021.