This archive report was first published on 7 May 2021.
On May 7, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) gave emergency use listing to Sinopharm Beijing's Covid-19 vaccine, making it the sixth vaccine to receive WHO validation for safety, efficacy, and quality.
The approval comes as a significant boost to the COVAX program, which has been struggling with vaccine shortages.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that the emergency use listing is for a two-dose regimen for all adults aged 18 and over, with a spacing of three to four weeks.
According to Tedros, "This afternoon, WHO gave emergency use listing to Sinopharm Beijing’s Covid-19 vaccine, making it the sixth vaccine to receive WHO validation for safety, efficacy, and quality."
WHO's Assistant-Director General for Access to Health Products Mariângela Simão emphasized the potential of the vaccine to accelerate Covid-19 vaccine access for countries, especially those seeking to protect health workers and populations at risk.
Simão urged the manufacturer to participate in the Covax Facility and contribute to the goal of more equitable vaccine distribution.
The Sinopharm vaccine has been approved for use in more than 45 countries and has administered over 65 million doses globally.
