WHO lists Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use

The World Health Organization (WHO) approved emergency listing for China's Sinopharm vaccine, a step that clears the way for a sixth vaccine to be added to the COVAX program. Today's announcement caps the review of Sinopharm's inactivated vero cell virus vaccine by two WHO vaccine advisory groups. The WHO's technical advisory group (TAG) approved the vaccine for emergency listing. Meanwhile, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) recommended the vaccine for people 18 years of age and older on a two-dose schedule given 3 to 4 weeks apart. WHO advisors are also reviewing a second vaccine from China, one made by Sinovac.