With input from Dr Monica Vasudev

1069: China Gives Experimental Coronavirus Vaccines to High-Risk Groups

China has been reportedly giving experimental coronavirus vaccines to high-risk groups for the COVID-19 infection, since July.

There has been no vaccine yet that has passed the final, large-scale trials to prove its safety and efficacy in protecting people from contracting the virus.

The objective is to boost the immunity of specific groups of people, including medical workers and those working at food markets and in the transportation and service sectors.

Authorities may expand the emergency use program to try to prevent possible outbreaks during the autumn and winter.

The guidelines for emergency use of potential coronavirus vaccines, approved on June 24, have not been made public.

This isnt the first time that China has approved the use of an experimental vaccine. The Chinese government had approved the use of a different vaccine candidate for the countrys military in the month of June. The vaccine - Ad5-nCoV - was jointly developed by the Beijing Institute of Biotechnology and vaccine company CanSino Biologics. CanSino had stated that the Central Military Commission had given the vaccine a military specially-needed drug approval on June 25. The special permission would last for one year and will only apply to military personnel. [Source: Reuters; CNN]

Dr KK Aggarwal

President CMAAO, HCFI and Past National President IMA