WHO approves Sinopharm vaccine for emergency use

Health body's first greenlight for Chinese-made shot raises hopes for emerging-market access

A health worker holds a dose of Sinopharm's coronavirus vaccine, in Lima, Peru, on Feb. 9. © Reuters

CK TAN, Nikkei staff writer

May 8, 2021 00:38 JST

Updated on May 8, 2021 01:34 JST

SHANGHAI -- One of China's COVID-19 vaccines gained crucial recognition Friday, nearly one year after its debut, as the World Health Organization approved the shot for emergency use.

The SARS-CoV-2 vaccine by China National Biotec Group (CNBG) -- a unit of state-owned Sinopharm -- joined five Western peers on the WHO's emergency list.