Sinovac

Sinovac Biotech Ltd. is a Chinese biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the research, development, manufacture, and commercialization of vaccines that protect against human infectious diseases. One of its most notable products is the COVID-19 vaccine known as CoronaVac.

History

Sinovac Biotech was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Beijing, China. The company has developed several vaccines, including those for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, and H5N1 (avian influenza). Sinovac gained international attention during the COVID-19 pandemic for its development of CoronaVac, an inactivated virus vaccine.

CoronaVac

CoronaVac is an inactivated virus vaccine developed by Sinovac for the prevention of COVID-19. It works by using killed viral particles to expose the body's immune system to the virus without risking a serious disease response. This type of vaccine is a traditional approach and has been used in vaccines for other diseases such as polio and rabies.

Development and Trials

The development of CoronaVac began in early 2020, shortly after the outbreak of COVID-19. Sinovac conducted several phases of clinical trials in multiple countries, including Brazil, Turkey, Indonesia, and Chile. The trials showed varying efficacy rates, with results ranging from 50% to over 80% in preventing symptomatic COVID-19, depending on the study and population.

Approval and Distribution

CoronaVac received emergency use authorization in several countries, including China, Brazil, Indonesia, and Turkey. The World Health Organization (WHO) also granted emergency use listing for CoronaVac, allowing it to be distributed globally through the COVAX initiative.

Efficacy and Safety

The efficacy of CoronaVac has been a subject of study and debate. Clinical trials have shown that it is effective in preventing severe cases of COVID-19 and reducing hospitalizations. The vaccine is generally well-tolerated, with common side effects including pain at the injection site, fatigue, and mild fever.

Manufacturing and Distribution

Sinovac has established manufacturing facilities in China and has partnered with local companies in other countries to produce and distribute CoronaVac. The company has scaled up production to meet global demand, with millions of doses distributed worldwide.

Controversies and Challenges

Sinovac has faced challenges related to transparency and varying efficacy results. The company has worked to address these concerns by publishing data and collaborating with international health organizations.

Also see

• COVID-19 vaccine
• Inactivated vaccine
• Sinopharm BIBP COVID-19 vaccine
• Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
• Moderna COVID-19 vaccine