SERRANA, Brazil (Reuters) – The COVID-19 vaccine developed by Sinovac Biotech in China is effective against changes in the UK and South Africa, the Brazilian partner of the vaccine said Wednesday, announcing test results in Chinese experiments.
“We have tested this vaccine in China against English and South African changes, with good results,” said Dimas Covas, head of Butantan biochemical plant in Sao Paulo who leads domestic tests on the Chinese vaccine and the administration of doses to Brazilian Health. Ministry.
Covas did not provide further details on how effectively the vaccine was tested against these strains.
Butantan is also testing the vaccine, known as CoronaVac, against the Brazilian virus that appeared in the city of Manaus, he said.
“Soon we will get the results and we are very hopeful that it will do the job,” said Covas.
Covas was speaking at a press conference in the small town of Serrana, in the inner state of Sao Paulo, where Butantan on Wednesday launched a major vaccination campaign aimed at protecting the adult population. all against COVID-19 to determine if it reduces the level of infection. .
Covas said he expects CoronaVac to have an advantage over other vaccines because of the technology it uses – an inactive version of coronavirus strain.
The effectiveness of the Chinese vaccine against Brazilian snoring will be particularly crucial for Brazil. The government has received 100 million doses and made the vaccine at the heart of their inoculation campaign.
Covas’ comments come as several Brazilian cities, including the major states of Rio, Salvador and Cuiaba, have banned new vaccines while they were running out. in doses.
Reporting by Leonardo Benassatto, written by Sabrina Valle; edited by Stephen Eisenhammer and Aurora Ellis