A step that paves the way for its licensing in the European Union soon

The European Medicines Agency announces the start of a "continuous review" of the Chinese Sinovac vaccine

People receive Chinese Sinovac vaccine in Cambodia.

EPA

Yesterday, the European Medicines Agency announced the start of a "continuous review" of the vaccine developed by the Chinese laboratory, Sinovac, against the emerging corona virus (Covid-19), paving the way for an application for a license in the European Union soon.

The agency added that studies indicate that the vaccine leads to the production of antibodies that target the "SARS-Cove-2" virus, which causes "Covid-19", and may contribute to protection from the disease.

The European Medicines Agency, based in Amsterdam, said in a statement that the Medicinal Products for Human Use Committee of the European Medicines Agency decided to "initiate a continuous review based on the preliminary results of laboratory studies (non-clinical data) and clinical studies."

The Chinese laboratory vaccine "Sinovac" relies on the traditional method of injecting the inactivated virus in order to stimulate the immune response.

And she continued: "The European Medicines Agency cannot estimate the general schedule, but the evaluation of the potential request will take less time than usual, given the work done during the continuous review."

Currently, there are four vaccines licensed in the European Union: “Pfizer-Biontec, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson,” and the last two vaccines are subject to age-related conditions in most European countries.

The Chinese Sinovac vaccine is used in at least 22 countries and regions, according to an AFP census.

In addition, the health situation in India has worsened with more than 20 million cases of "Covid-19" recorded, at a time when hospitals in the country are still suffocating with the injured, which prompted Australia to prevent the return of thousands of its citizens stranded in India.

India has recorded a total of more than 222,000 deaths, a toll attributable to the religious and political gatherings that have been allowed to take place in recent months.

Experts believe the actual numbers are much higher.

The health system, which lacks resources and is not equipped to cope with this situation, faces a huge shortage of beds, medicines and oxygen, despite the influx of international aid in recent days.

Thousands of Australians have become stranded in India, since Canberra closed its borders to travelers from India in the face of the severe outbreak of the epidemic, including its citizens, which led to a wave of anger in the country.

And more than 350,000 new infections were counted in India yesterday, a slight decrease compared to a peak of 402,000 cases, which was recorded last week.

Meanwhile, vaccine deliveries were delayed in Brazil, the country worst affected by the epidemic after India.

In seven major Brazilian cities, including Porto Alegre, the administration of the second dose of the Chinese Coronavac vaccine was suspended due to lack of doses.

For its part, Ecuador has banned the export of medical oxygen used to treat "Covid-19" patients, and has set a ceiling for its price.

In the United States of America, the Governor of the State of Florida, Ron DeSantis, immediately lifted all the applicable "Covid-19" restrictions, indicating the effectiveness of vaccines and their availability in the state.

"This is the obvious thing that must be done," the Republican governor said in a press conference, referring to the decline in the numbers of injuries and deaths with the continuation of the immunization campaign.

About nine million people in Florida, which has a population of 23 million, received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Also, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, whose state was previously the epicenter of the outbreak in the United States, announced the lifting of many of the restrictions imposed to limit the spread of the Corona virus, including the resumption of metro work in the city 24 hours.

From May 19, Cuomo said, occupancy rates for many commercial and cultural establishments in the city will be canceled, including stores, restaurants, cinemas and museums.

The easing of restrictions in some US states reflects the trend that began this week in Europe, especially in France, where movement restrictions were lifted in light of the slow decline in the number of cases requiring hospitalization.

France has also chosen May 19 for the next phase of easing restrictions, with limited reopening of shops, cinemas, museums, theaters and restaurants.

Today, delegates from the 27 member states of the European Union will study a proposal submitted by the European Commission, according to which travelers from third countries who have received the necessary doses of vaccines will be allowed to enter the bloc.

The health situation in India is getting worse as it crosses the threshold of 20 million cases of Coronavirus.

American states are easing the restrictions of the closure ... and the delay in the delivery of vaccines in Brazil.

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