Brazil and Indonesia, which have the most COVID-19 cases in Latin America and Southeast Asia respectively, are preparing to roll out the vaccine, called CoronaVac, this month. Anvisa and Butantan declined to comment on the efficacy data or conclusions from the meeting. Brazil's CoronaVac trial included elderly volunteers, unlike other studies of the vaccine, and was the first to present final efficacy data. China has at least five vaccines, developed by Sinovac, Sinopharm, CanSino Biologics and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in late-stage trials, underscoring its efforts to develop a homegrown vaccine to challenge Western rivals. In Brazil, President Jair Bolsonaro has expressed disdain for the Sinovac vaccine, citing doubts about its "origin" and trading barbs with political rival João Doria, the governor of Sao Paulo, which is funding trials and production of the shot.

Source: bd News24 January 07, 2021 15:45 UTC