GENEVA — The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an emergency use listing (EUL) for CONVIDECIA, a vaccine manufactured by CanSino Biologics, China, adding to a growing portfolio of vaccines validated by WHO for the prevention of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2.

WHO’s EUL procedure assesses the quality, safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines as a prerequisite for COVAX vaccine supply.

It also allows countries to expedite their own regulatory approval to import and administer COVID-19 vaccines.

CONVIDECIA was assessed under the WHO EUL procedure based on the review of data on quality, safety, efficacy, a risk management plan, programmatic suitability and a manufacturing site inspection conducted by WHO.

CONVIDECIA is based on a modified human adenovirus that expresses the spike S protein of SARS-CoV-2. It is administered as a single dose.

CONVIDECIA was found to have 64% efficacy against symptomatic disease and 92% against severe COVID-19. — Agencies