|
 China has inoculated hundreds of thousands of people under an
emergency programme authorised in July for essential workers and
other limited groups of people considered at high risk of infection,
to stave off a resurgence of the coronavirus, even as clinical
trials of vaccines are still underway to prove their efficacy and
safety.
Inoculating the general public with a workable vaccine is likely to
be an important tool in curbing a virus that has led to over 960,000
deaths worldwide. However, expanding vaccine use prior to obtaining
long-term data risks raising expert concern.
"CNBG is discussing with relevant state authorities about the
requirements for conditional approvals of the two coronavirus
vaccines," Zhang Yuntao told Reuters.
The South China Morning Post first reported CNBG's talks with
regulators.
"If all goes well, the two vaccines could hopefully be approved
conditionally within the year for use in the general public," Zhang
said in a statement to Reuters.
[to top of second column] |
In China, authorities can grant conditional approval for vaccines undergoing
clinical trials if deemed urgent for major public health emergencies, with
assessed benefits outweighing risks.
CNBG's two candidates are included in China's emergency use programme. One of
them obtained emergency approval this month in the United Emirates where the
firm is conducting a Phase 3 trial.
Zhang did not specify the regulators CNBG is in talks with. China's National
Medical Products Administration did not respond to a request for comment.
CNBG is a subsidiary of state-owned China National Pharmaceutical Group Co Ltd (Sinopharm).
(Reporting by Roxanne Liu and Tony Munroe; Editing by Miyoung Kim and
Christopher Cushing)
[© 2020 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2020 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |
