Bahrain has joined the U.A.E. in approving the distribution of the Chinese vaccine for combating COVID-19; this follows its approval of the Pfizer vaccine (with its German partner BioNTech). Its state-run news agency provided few details, but did say that the vaccine showed that it was 86% effective. According to various media reports, the vaccine also showed a 99% seroconversion rate of neutralizing antibodies, and 100% effectiveness in preventing moderate and severe cases of the disease. These vaccines are based on killed viruses, which have a proven track record of being safe and effective.
The vaccine was developed by the China National Biotec Group (CNBG) under the China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm).
The kingdom has stated that it plans to distribute free coronavirus vaccines to the public, but didn’t disclose details. It also stated that 7,700 people have signed up to take part in clinical trials.
In related news, Kuwait’s Health Ministry has approved emergency use of the Pfizer vaccine, and is encouraging its citizens to pre-register on its website to receive the vaccine.
Analysts believe that these moves, along with those of Egypt and Israel to approve the Chinese vaccine, will encourage more countries, particularly in the Americas and Europe, to also begin giving the green light for distribution of the vaccine.
Hungary has also signaled that it is set to begin receiving coronavirus vaccine samples from China, and that it will pursue emergency domestic approval for a Chinese COVID-19 vaccine, rather than waiting for a formal review by the EU’s European Medicines Agency.
Reuters News agency reports that Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó stated on his Facebook page, “‘The safety of the vaccine is not a political or ideological question, but a professional one. If the experts make a positive decision, we will immediately begin drafting the contract to import the vaccine.’”
[https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1209838.shtml] [https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/bahrain-approves-chinese-covid-19-vaccine-74699175]
