Vaccine in Clinical Trials in China Granted 'Emergency Use' Approval for Medical Staff a Month Ago

Sinopharm-Developed Vaccine Approved for COVID-19 Vaccination in High-Risk Groups
Military-Developed Vaccine Also Granted Emergency Use Authorization in June

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] It has been revealed that China is conducting vaccine clinical trials targeting frontline medical personnel and border inspectors, who are at high risk of infection from the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

On the 24th (local time), CNN reported that China has authorized the use of COVID-19 vaccines for high-risk groups such as medical personnel. Earlier, on the 22nd, Zheng Zhongwei, Director of the Science and Technology Development Center of the National Health Commission of China, announced this through Chinese state media.

He appeared on CCTV and stated, "Medical personnel, infection prevention experts, border control officers, and others who have a high likelihood of being infected with the COVID-19 virus are qualified to receive the vaccine."

The Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology under the Russian Ministry of Health (Gamaleya Center) developed the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The vaccine used for the inoculation was developed by Sinopharm, a Chinese state-owned pharmaceutical company. This vaccine is currently undergoing clinical trials in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Morocco, Argentina, and other countries.

Director Zheng said, "When a health crisis occurs, the National Health Commission can apply for emergency vaccine use," adding, "After evaluation by the National Medical Products Administration, the vaccine can be used within a limited scope."

He explained, "Once an immune protection system is established for medical personnel and border control officers, the activities of all citizens will be guaranteed safety."

This is not the first time China has authorized emergency use of a COVID-19 vaccine. In June, the Chinese government approved the use of a vaccine developed for military purposes. At that time, the vaccine was permitted for only one year and was restricted to administration to military personnel.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.