China Zhifei's COVID vaccine largely works on delta variant: study

Efficacy results from Phase 3 clinical trial yet to be published

Researchers cautioned that data from clinical trials or real-world use were still necessary to determine how well the shot prevents people from getting sick from the variants. © AP

July 17, 2021 14:46 JST

BEIJING (Reuters) -- A COVID-19 vaccine developed by a unit of China's Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products largely retained its neutralising effect against the Delta variant but there was a slight reduction, Chinese researchers found in a laboratory study.

Scientists and regulators are watching closely to see whether the Delta variant, which is significantly more contagious than the original variant of the new coronavirus, will render available vaccines and treatments insufficient.