Chinese Covid-19 vaccine approved for military use

Beijing, June 29 China's military has received approval for using a Covid-19 vaccine jointly developed by its research unit and CanSino Biologics Inc.

The approval for the Recombinant Novel Coronavirus Vaccine (Ad5-nCoV) was granted by HealthBureau of the Logistics Support Department of China's Central Military Commission on June 25, for one year, CanSino Biologics said on Monday.

The phase-1 and phase-2 clinical trials of the Ad5-nCoV were conducted in China.

Data of clinical trials showed a good safety profile and high levels of humoral and cellular immune response, CanSino Biologics said.

The overall clinical results indicate that the Ad5-nCoV has potential to prevent diseases caused by SARS-CoV-2.

The use of the vaccine is currently limited to military use only and its use cannot be expanded to a broader vaccination range without the approval of the Logistics Support Department.

The vaccine was jointly developed by the CanSino Biologics and Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences.

The Ad5-nCoV vaccine is one of eight Covid-19 vaccine candidates in China that has received approval for conducting human trials.

( With inputs from IANS )