Chinese Sinovac: "COVID-19 Vaccine in Development Also Effective for Elderly"

"Antibody Levels Increased in 90% of Clinical Trial Participants Aged 60 and Over"
Chinese Experts Say "Chinese Vaccines Will Be Supplied at Around 100 Yuan per Dose"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac Biotech announced that its COVID-19 vaccine under development is effective against all variant viruses and that antibody levels significantly increased in more than 90% of clinical trial participants. Chinese state media, citing immunology experts, reported that the efficacy of the Sinovac vaccine is excellent and predicted that the supply price would be around 100 yuan (approximately 17,000 KRW) per dose.

According to foreign media including the Chinese state-run Global Times on the 8th, Sinovac confirmed that in clinical trials involving 421 elderly participants aged 60 and above, more than 90% showed a significant increase in antibody levels. Previously, Sinovac announced that in Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials conducted on 743 participants aged 18 to 59 on June 18, it successfully induced neutralizing antibody responses in over 90% of patients. Liu Feicheng, Sinovac’s media representative, emphasized, "Although antibody levels in the elderly were slightly lower compared to younger people, the results met expectations," and added, "No serious side effects were reported during the clinical trials."

However, controversies regarding the safety of Sinovac’s vaccine continue both inside and outside China. The day before, Sinovac sparked debate by announcing that it had vaccinated about 3,000 employees and their families through the Chinese government’s emergency approval. Sinovac’s vaccine is currently undergoing Phase 3 clinical trials in countries such as Brazil and Indonesia. Chinese authorities have granted emergency use approval for high-risk groups such as government officials and medical personnel who are likely to be exposed to the COVID-19 virus, but have not approved general use yet.

China’s Xinhua News Agency promoted another Chinese vaccine developer, CanSino. Chen Wei, a researcher on CanSino’s vaccine development team, stated in an interview with Xinhua, "The adenovirus vector-based vaccine under development is effective against all existing coronavirus mutant variants," and added, "China is conducting research and development independently without relying on other countries, and Chinese people will be able to receive vaccinations at affordable prices when needed." Xinhua also reported that Western media claims that China stole U.S. research data on COVID-19 vaccines are unfounded.

Chinese immunology experts estimate that vaccines developed in China will be supplied at about 100 yuan per dose. The Global Times, citing immunology experts, reported that the adenovirus vector used in vaccines developed in China is inexpensive, so the price is expected to be set at around 100 yuan per dose. This aligns with the average supply price of flu vaccines in China, which ranges from 50 to 150 yuan.

The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that it is discussing international approval requirements for Chinese vaccines with China. On the 7th (local time), Marianela Simao, WHO Deputy Director-General, said at a briefing held at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, "WHO is cooperating with Chinese regulatory authorities regarding the approval of vaccines developed in China," and added, "We are also sharing information and requirements for the international approval of these vaccines in the future."

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