China has granted emergency approval for the use of the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine in children aged three and above, becoming the first nation to open its vaccination program to people so young.
On Tuesday, a Sinovac spokesperson claimed that the company's Covid vaccine is 'approved for emergency use in children between 3 and 17 years of age'. However, the manufacturer did not give any information about when the campaign will start.
Sinovac has successfully completed early phase trials of its Covid vaccine in both children and teenagers, with plans to make the data publicly available in a scientific journal in the near future.
Sinopharm, the other company making the Covid-19 vaccine in China, has also said its data shows it is safe and effective in young children, but did not say whether officials will decide to approve it for emergency use.
