China approves first domestic mRNA vaccine for Covid-19 / Photo: © AFP/File
-
Carney Welcomes U.S. Trade Reversal After Democratic Midterm Victory
-
Microsoft Xbox App Update for PC Promises 60% Faster Startup
-
Armenian FM Discusses EU Accountability for Palestinian Rights in Madrid
-
California Humanities Honors Valdez and Burroughs for Courageous Leadership
-
Trump and Vance Pursue Secret Diplomacy with Iran Amid Military Pressure
-
Friedmann and Kühner Analyze Bundesliga's Best Shot and Frankfurt's Goalkeeper Crisis
-
Classic Car Values Surge: De Tomaso Vallelunga Leads 190% Gain
-
Honoka‘a Dragons Face Hawaii Prep in BIIF Division II Championship
-
Microsoft Ends Oracle AI Computing Rental Deal Amid Cloud Strategy Shift
-
Pakistan Demands Grant-Based Climate Finance at COP31 to Avoid Debt Trap
China approves first domestic mRNA vaccine for Covid-19
China has approved its first locally developed messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine against Covid-19, its manufacturer said Wednesday, months after the relaxation of strict Covid-zero regulations sparked a surge in cases.
The vaccine, developed by CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd, has been approved for "emergency use" by Beijing's health regulator, the company said in a statement.
It showed high efficacy in a trial in which it was used as a booster shot for people who have been given other types of vaccines, the company added, without offering further details.
mRNA vaccines are considered among the most effective in reducing severe infections and deaths.
While traditional vaccines use a weakened or inactivated germ to prepare the body for a future attack from the real virus, mRNA deploys snippets of genetic material that carry instructions showing the body's cells how to produce a protein -- in this case, the spike protein on the coronavirus that causes Covid.
The body's immune system then triggers antibodies to fight off that spike protein, making it ready for when the real coronavirus comes knocking.
Beijing has refused to greenlight mRNA-based vaccines from foreign firms Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna for public use.
Its vaccination shortfall was widely believed to have led to more severe infections and deaths after lockdowns and mandatory quarantine rules were suddenly dropped in December.
Other Chinese drugmakers including CanSino have previously said they were developing mRNA-based shots to help the country bridge its immunisation gap.
J.Fankhauser--BTB
