South Africa has started vaccinating children and adolescents as part of the global phase 3 clinical trials of China’s Sinovac Biotech Covid-19 vaccine for children aged between six months and 17 years.
The global study will enroll 2,000 participants in South Africa and 12,000 others will be taking part in Kenya, the Philippines, Chile and Malaysia, AP reported.
“The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of two doses of the CoronaVac against confirmed symptomatic Covid-19 cases in children and adolescents,” said the Sinovac company statement.
“Efficacy will also be evaluated against hospitalisation and severe Covid-19 cases,” Sinovac said. A minor receives Sinovac vaccine jab from a healthcare worker in Pretoria, South Africa, on Friday.—AP
