So far, ten anti-COVID-19 virus vaccines have been authorised for use in various parts of the world
The Corona virus that has caused the current pandemic is called SARS-CoV-2, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus-2. The disease itself is called COVID-19, or Corona Virus Disease, 2019. So far, ten anti-COVID-19 virus vaccines have been authorised for use in various parts of the world. Eighty one vaccines are undergoing trials with twenty at advanced stages.
The first one to arrive in Pakistan is a Chinese vaccine made by the state owned Chinese company, Sinopharm. It was developed by the Beijing Institute of Biological Products. It is a whole virus, killed vaccine and has been given an ‘emergency use authorisation’ by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP). The results of the large scale clinical trials, called Phase III trials have not been published yet in peer reviewed medical journals. The trials have taken place in various countries, including UAE and Bahrain. It is thought that the vaccine may be around 80 per cent effective in preventing disease. It is approved for use in adults below 60 years of age. It consists of 2 injections, 3 weeks apart, given in the upper arm.