The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAPHRA) has approved the use of the Sinovac vaccine in South Africa, provisionally if the conditions are met including results of clinical trials and safety data.
The WHO approved the Sinovac vaccine in June, for emergency use. This emergency use listing allows countries to acquire the vaccine through the COVAX initiative.
According to a trial in Brazil, the two-dose Sinovac vaccine comes from China and is about 50% effective at preventing symptomatic Coronavirus.
Sinovac has been used in many countries, with about 110 million people worldwide who received two full doses and 248 million who have received one dose, so far.
Three clinical trials have shown that the Sinovac vaccine is effective against severe Covid-19 infections, hospitalisations and death.
The vaccine is recommended for people with comorbidities and can be used by people who have had the virus before, as well as lactating women. People with HIV or who have compromised immune systems can also get this vaccine safely.
If you are allergic to any component in the vaccine, have a fever above 38.5°C or have been diagnosed with Covid-19 recently should not get the vaccine yet.
The recommended dosage is 2 doses with an interval of 2-4 weeks between each dose.
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Sources: Business Insider, WHO, IOL
