COVID-19 vaccine from China’s Sinovac 91.25 per cent effective, Turkey says after trial involving 7,000 volunteers

A COVID-19 vaccine developed by China’s Sinovac Biotech has been 91.25 per cent effective, according to interim data from a late-stage trial in Turkey, a potentially much better result than reported from a separate trial of the vaccine in Brazil.

Researchers in Brazil, who are also running a final phase 3 trial of the vaccine, said the shot was more than 50 per cent effective, but withheld full results at the company’s request, raising questions about transparency.

Turkish researchers said on Thursday that no major side-effects were seen during their trial, apart from one person who had an allergic reaction.

Common adverse effects caused by the vaccine were fever, mild pain and slight fatigue, they said.