WHO grants emergency approval for China’s CanSinoBIO mRNA vaccine

China’s CanSinoBIO biotechnology company – Photo: REUTERS

According to the WHO statement, Vaccine CanSinBIO’s Convidecia meets the agency’s standards for protection against COVID-19 and the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh the risks.

China has yet to approve any foreign-made mRNA technology vaccines, such as those from Pfizer or Moderna.

The clinical trial of a “homegrown” mRNA vaccine is considered an encouraging step, in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic still raging in China.

Preclinical trial results published in April showed that CanSinoBIO’s mRNA vaccine was able to induce high levels of neutralizing antibodies against many SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron, which has the potential ability to spread rapidly and prevail in China.

According to Reuters news agency, CanSinoBIO’s Convidecia vaccine is the 11th COVID-19 vaccine that WHO has licensed, recommended for use in people 18 years of age and older.

The WHO says the Convidecia vaccine is 64% effective for symptomatic cases and 92% for severe cases.