WHO Authorizes Use of China’s Sinovac Covid-19 Vaccine for Emergencies
The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved a Covid-19 vaccine made by Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac for emergency use.
Gathogo Wanjiru 
The decision will allow China’s Sinovac to be used in World Health Organization’s vaccine-sharing program, COVAX, which seeks to provide equitable global access to immunizations.
Sinovac is the second Chinese vaccine to be given authorization by WHO after Sinopharm was issued greenlight in early May.
According to a statement on Tuesday by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, he said: "Sinovac was found to be safe, effective, and quality-assured following two doses of the inactivated vaccine."
However, WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) has recommended China’s vaccine be administered to people above 18years. The two doses should be spaced between two and four weeks during administration.
Sinovac, unlike some other covid-19 vaccines, doesn't need to be kept at super-cold temperatures.
"The easy storage requirements of Sinovac make it very suitable for low-resource settings," Tedros said. "It's now crucial to get these lifesaving tools to the people that need them quickly."
