China’s Sinovac COVID vaccine to be reviewed by European Medicines Agency

The vaccine, called the COVID-19 Vacine (Vero Cell) Inactivated would be different than the Pfizer and Moderna shots which use mRNA instead of an inactivated virus.

The statement released by the EMA states that decision from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use to begin reviews comes from promising non-clinical preliminary lab studies in addition to clinical studies. These studies are showing that the vaccine does indeed triggers the production of antibodies that fight the COVIS_19 causing SARV-CoV-2 virus.

The EMA says they will evaluate data as is becomes available to weigh the benefits and risks of the vaccine, and will continue until "enough evidence is available for a formal marketing authorization application."

The agency also states that the evaluation should take less time than normal due to the use of a rolling review, and will assess the vaccine's compliance with EU standards.

The announcement from the EMA comes just one day after a top World Health Organization official said that, according to The Associated Press, the WHO is set to decide on the approval of two Chinese COVID-19 vaccines, Sinopharm and Sinovac, for emergency use. This would mark the first time the UN would allow a Chinese vaccine for emergency use.