China Grants Approval to First Coronavirus Vaccine

 China has granted conditional approval to its own coronavirus vaccine after initial analysis of clinical trial results show it is effective.

Sinopharm, a state-controlled company, said that a vaccine developed by its Beijing Institute of Biological Products is 79% effective in preventing COVID-19 based on preliminary analysis. The vaccine candidate is the first one approved for use in China. 

Zeng Yixin, a vice minister of China's National Health Commission, said in a news conference Thursday that the vaccine will be provided for all citizens free of cost, a reversal of previous statements. 

China's National Medical Products Administration said the vaccine is "generally safe," but no additional details about side effects were disclosed. Chen Shifei, deputy head of the NMPA, said in a statement that "Strict supervision will continue to be carried out over the vaccine after its approval to ensure its safety and quality."

A total of 14 COVID-19 vaccines being developed by China, where the COVID-19 pandemic originated, are now in clinical trials, with five in phase three clinical trials.

Prior to the official approval of the Sinopharm vaccine, doses had already been given to priority groups, including front-line medical workers and people traveling overseas to work, Zeng said in the statement.

Across the globe, several other COVID-19 vaccines have been granted emergency use approval, including ones developed by Moderna, Pfizer and BioNTech jointly and AstraZeneca and Oxford University jointly.

Health officials report more than 95,940 cases of the coronavirus in China, with more than 4,780 deaths.