China’s vaccine makers sign COVAX agreements

Two major COVID-19 vaccine makers of China have signed agreements to provide 550 million doses to COVAX facility.

Highlights

• Gavi announced to buy 110 million doses from Sinopharm and Sinovac between July and October 2021.
• It will buy 440 million more doses by mid-2022.
• These vaccines were approved by World Health Organization for emergency use.

About Sinopharm Vaccine

Sinopharm vaccine is also called as BBIBP-CorV or BIBP vaccine. This vaccine has been developed using inactivated virus by Sinopharm Beijing Institute of Biological Products. Its phase three trials were completed in Argentina, Bahrain, Morocco, Egypt, Peru, Pakistan, and United Arab Emirates (UAE) with over 60,000 participants. This vaccine shares similar technology with CoronaVac and Covaxin.

Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine

Sinovac, also known as CoronaVac, is an inactivated virus COVID-19 vaccine developed by Chinese company Sinovac Biotech. Its Phase III clinical trial was conducted in Brazil, Indonesia, Chile, Philippines, and Turkey. It uses the traditional technology similar to BBIBP-CorV and Covaxin. This vaccine does not need to be frozen.

COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX)

COVAX is a worldwide initiative launched with the aim of equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. It is directed by Vaccine Alliance, GAVI, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and World Health Organization (WHO). COVAX is one among the three pillars of Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator. As of July 2020, 165 countries have joined COVAX, representing 60% of human population. As of July 6, 2021; 100 million doses of covid-19 vaccine have been delivered.

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2021