China's Sinovac Vaccinates 3,000 Employees with Its COVID-19 Vaccine... "Voluntary Vaccination"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-woo] Chinese vaccine company Sinovac is reported to have vaccinated about 3,000 employees and their families with its COVID-19 vaccine currently under development, raising expectations of growing controversy. The vaccine is still in Phase 3 clinical trials. Sinovac stated that the vaccinations were conducted voluntarily by employees and their families, and that the vaccine is expected to be approved by the end of the year.

On the 7th (local time), according to the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP), Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac announced that about 3,000 of its employees and their families voluntarily received the COVID-19 vaccine developed by the company. In July, the Chinese government granted emergency use approval for certain groups at high risk of COVID-19 exposure, such as medical personnel and border officials. Sinovac stated that, based on this emergency use approval, its employees and their families received the vaccine. Sinovac CEO Yin Weidong emphasized, "Our goal is to receive official approval by the end of the year," adding, "The vaccine price will not be higher than expected and will be affordable for everyone."

Sinovac added, "No serious side effects have been observed during Phase 3 clinical trials, with only temporary symptoms such as localized pain at the injection site, fatigue, and swelling," indicating that the vaccine is safe. However, since the vaccine is still undergoing Phase 3 trials, safety concerns are expected to continue. Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine is currently in Phase 3 clinical trials in Brazil and Indonesia, and trials are scheduled to begin in November in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Despite the controversy, the Chinese government publicly introduced the vaccine as a COVID-19 vaccine candidate at an international event. According to the Chinese state-run Global Times, the Chinese government held the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), the largest offline event since the COVID-19 outbreak, and at the opening ceremony, introduced Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine along with another COVID-19 vaccine developed by the state-owned pharmaceutical company Sinopharm as vaccine candidates.

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