Pakistan approves China's Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use
ISLAMABAD, April 9 (Xinhua) -- The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has approved China's Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, the National Institute of Health in Islamabad confirmed on Friday.
According to a statement released by DRAP on Thursday, the CoronaVac vaccine developed by Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac has been given emergency use authorization for people aged 18 and above.
The statement said the authorization will be reviewed every quarter keeping in view data regarding safety, efficacy and quality of the vaccine.
It is the third Chinese COVID-19 vaccine that was approved by the country after Sinopharm and CanSino vaccines, and Pakistan kicked off its vaccination drive in early February upon receiving vaccine donation from China.
So far, Pakistan is facing the third wave of COVID-19. Pakistan has reported 710,829 confirmed cases with 15,229 deaths due to the virus, according to the data released by the country's health ministry on Friday.
Photos
Related Stories
- Sinopharm, CoronaVac to be assessed between April 26, May 3: WHO
- Iran's COVID-19 caseload surpasses 2 mln; Egypt hails "fruitful" anti-pandemic cooperation with China
- Commentary: China contributes to global anti-pandemic drive by bridging "vaccine divide"
- UN Refugee Agency calls for equitable access to coronavirus vaccines for refugees
- Vaccine distribution exposes glaring global health inequity
- 2 batches of China-donated vaccines arrive in Lebanon; Turkey records highest 49,584 daily COVID-19 cases
- People receive COVID-19 vaccines in Serbia
- Over 142 mln COVID-19 vaccine doses administered across China
- Jordan receives 1st batch of COVID-19 vaccines purchased from China
- Georgia receives first batch of COVID-19 vaccines purchased from China
Copyright © 2021 People's Daily Online. All Rights Reserved.