Despite Lack of Testing, Tens of Thousands Get Experimental Vaccine in China

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• China has already developed four COVID-19 vaccines and three have already been used for its citizens and one for its military.
• So far, there has been no report of coronavirus cases in those who have been vaccinated.
• One vaccine has already been approved for use in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

After China launched its experimental coronavirus vaccines, it has already treated tens and thousands of its citizens even without completed standard testing.

China National Pharmaceutical group (Sinopharm) and biopharmaceutical company Sinovac Biotech developed the vaccines under the government’s vaccine emergency use program.  Its main purpose was for the protection of essential workers which includes those in the medical field, transportation and grocery store workers.

The chief biosafety expert of China’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guizhen Wu, was among the first to be given a shot in April. She said, “So far, among the people who were vaccinated, no one has been sick with the disease. So far, [the vaccination scheme] works very well. No side effects occurred.”

In June, CanSino Biologics developed China’s fourth vaccine that was approved for the Chinese military.

In early November, other developed vaccines will be for the use of the public.

This mass inoculation has come under criticism from western experts because of the potential side effects and lack of knowledge of the long-term effectiveness of the vaccines. They warn that it should have complete testing before being used.

The vaccine emergency use program of China has been termed as “problematic” by John Hopkins University vaccine researcher, Anna Durbin.  She said, “You’re vaccinating people and you don’t know if it’s going to protect them.” 

China is not the only country that has approved the use of experimental vaccines: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorized the use of Sinopharm vaccine from China and Russia has “Sputnik 4” that targeted specific groups which includes teachers.

Using Sinopharm in the UAE is the first international emergency clearance of its kind.

Source: New York Post