#China pushes emergency COVID-19 vaccine despite concerns

Hundreds of thousands of Chinese have been given experimental, emergency-use COVID-19 vaccines by the government since July, despite concerns over their safety and efficacy.

China was initially criticized for for giving the vaccine to their top executives and leading researchers before human test trials. But in recent months, according to The Associated Press, they’ve given the jab to many more citizens under an emergency-use designation approved in June.

Chinese health officials say they’ve almost wiped out the coronavirus but want to ensure that it never comes back. Zheng Zhongwei, of China’s National Health Commission, claimed that China gained the “understanding and support” of the World Health Organization before starting to administer the vaccines.

Zheng has said that some people in “high risk” professions — like frontline medical personnel — have been eligible to receive the vaccine since July 22.

But outside health experts say it’s dangerous to green light vaccines prior to last-stage trials, CNN reported.

Zheng said there have been no serious side effects in the clinical trials.

“We’ve made it very clear that the COVID-19 vaccine we put into emergency use are safe,” Zheng said. “Their safety can be ensured but their efficacy is yet to be determined.”

Zheng said that all those injected under emergency use are being closely tracked for any adverse health effects.