Pakistan approves Chinese CanSino vaccine for emergency use

CanSinoBio trial results released last week showed 90.98% success rate in stopping severe infections

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan has approved China’s CanSinoBio Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan said on Friday.

“Yes, Correct,” Sultan texted Reuters after being asked to confirm that the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) had met and approved the vaccine.

CanSinoBio last week released interim efficacy results of a multi-country trial, which included Pakistan, showing 65.7% efficacy in preventing symptomatic coronavirus cases and a 90.98% success rate in stopping severe infections.

"Clinical trial data (phase-3) of a one-dose Ad5-nCoV vaccine for Covid (Cansino Bio) received. Interim analysis by the Independent Data Monitoring Committee shows 65.7% efficacy at preventing symptomatic cases and 90.98% at preventing severe disease (multicountry analysis)," the SAPM had said in a tweet from his official handle.

Pakistan earlier this month launched a vaccination drive with 500,000 doses of Sinopharm’s vaccine donated by long-time ally China.

Those shots are first being given out to frontline health workers on a priority basis.

The government earlier this month also approved the Russian Sputnik Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use, sources told The Express Tribune.

The Drap has given the final nod for the emergency use of the Russian vaccine, which has already been cited as “effective and safe” by Russain President Vladimir Putin.

“The Russian Sputnik Covid-19 vaccine has been approved under Section 7 of Drug Act 1976,” sources said, adding that after Drap’s approval the doses would be used all over the country.

(With input from News Desk)