Coronavirus: a Sinovac Biotech vaccine is seen as 78 per cent effective in Brazil
- Sao Paulo state government announcement paves the way for emergency use approvals and roll-out in array of countries and regions, including Hong Kong
- It comes after interim data showed 79 per cent efficacy for another Chinese vaccine, developed by Sinopharm
A vaccine made by Sinovac Biotech has been found to be 78 per cent effective against Covid-19 in late-stage trials in Brazil, making it the second Chinese vaccine that has passed minimum efficacy requirements by most regulators.
The announcement made by the Sao Paulo state government paves the way for the emergency use approvals and imminent roll-out of the Sinovac vaccine, CoronaVac, in an array of countries and regions, including Hong Kong, that have already placed orders.
China is also expected to fast-track conditional approval for general use of the vaccine.
CoronaVac was found to be 78 per cent effective in preventing mild cases of Covid-19 and 100 per cent effective against severe and moderate infections, according to a statement posted by the Sao Paulo government.
“Among those immunised during clinical tests and who contracted the virus, none had a severe or moderate case of the disease or needed hospitalisation,” it said.
