WHO Begins Emergency Use Review of Two Chinese Vaccines

Sinopharm-developed novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) vaccine [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The World Health Organization (WHO) has begun the emergency use authorization review for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines developed by Chinese pharmaceutical companies Sinopharm and Sinovac.

Catherine O'Brien, head of the WHO immunization team, said, "We are currently reviewing the data submitted by Sinopharm and Sinovac," according to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP) in Hong Kong on the 27th.

Both vaccines are expected to receive emergency use approval as early as March. WHO is examining the data focusing on safety, efficacy, and quality during the review. O'Brien stated, "The WHO team plans to visit China to evaluate the production facilities of the two pharmaceutical companies."

So far, WHO has only granted emergency use approval for the Pfizer vaccine. If Sinopharm and Sinovac receive approval this time, their vaccines could be supplied worldwide through the vaccine procurement and distribution project led by WHO and others, the 'COVAX facility.' Since South Korea has secured 20 million doses (for 10 million people) through COVAX, there is a possibility that Chinese vaccines will be introduced.

SCMP also reported that WHO is currently in contact with CanSino, which is conducting phase 3 clinical trials in China. There are a total of three pharmaceutical companies developing COVID-19 vaccines in China: Sinopharm, Sinovac, and CanSino.

Some express concerns that the preventive effectiveness of Chinese vaccines has not been sufficiently proven. Sinopharm received conditional use approval from the Chinese government on December 31, but controversy arose due to the lack of transparent disclosure of clinical trial data.