China approves first domestic mRNA vaccine for Covid-19 / Photo: GREG BAKER - AFP/File
-
Freshways milk-price cut deepens pressure on UK dairy farms
-
India climbs green-transition ranking after first emissions decline in 25 years
-
Labour and National remain virtually tied as New Zealand vote count advances
-
Trump names Stephen Miller as White House chief of staff after midterm losses
-
The Good Daughter adapts Karin Slaughter thriller with Rose Byrne and Meghann Fahy
-
Restored Albanian tower houses anchor new rural tourism trail
-
Heavy-lift drone evacuates wounded Ukrainian soldier from frontline kill zone
-
Sonia Gandhi reflects on family tragedy and reluctant political career
-
Morrison says West Brom recovered after pressure from successive derby losses
-
Pope Leo begins three-country South American tour in Uruguay
-
Britain considers 2027 state visit for Ukraine’s Zelensky
-
Khawaja says entire Australia camp knew of 2018 ball-tampering plan
-
China and Gabon Elevate Ties to 'Shared Future' Amid State Visit
-
Portuguese Finance Minister to Review Socialist Budget Amendments
-
World Golf Awards 2026 to be Hosted at Egypt’s Madinaty Golf Club
-
Early Polar Vortex Disruption Creates Uncertain Winter Outlook for Pennsylvania
-
12 Billion Gallons of Raw Sewage Discharged into Chicago River Despite Deep Tunnel Infrastructure
-
Stadler Begins Testing First Hydrogen Narrow-Gauge Trains for Southern Italy
-
Edmund Richardson Wins Baillie Gifford Prize for 'Alexander' Biography
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.
T.Batista--PC
