The Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine, also known as BBIBP-CorV, is an inactivated virus vaccine that was authorized for emergency use in many countries worldwide to help curb the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Like the Bharat Biotech and Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines, an inactivated virus vaccine is made by using a virus that has been killed or inactivated, so it cannot cause the disease it is intended to prevent. In the case of the Sinopharm vaccine, the virus is the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, and it has been inactivated by a chemical process. When the vaccine is injected into the body, it triggers an immune response, including the production of antibodies, that will help protect against future COVID-19 infection.
The Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine was developed by the Chinese state-owned pharmaceutical company Sinopharm and it has been authorized for emergency use by several countries worldwide, following clinical trials involving tens of thousands of participants. In the trials, the vaccine was found to be around 79% effective in preventing COVID-19, including severe disease.
The Sinopharm vaccine is given as a series of two doses, with the second dose administered 21 days after the first. The vaccine has been shown to be effective in people of all ages, including those over 55, who are at an increased risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19.
Like all vaccines, the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine can cause side effects, although these are generally mild and short-lived. Common side effects include pain and redness at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pain, chills, fever, and nausea. These side effects generally go away on their own within a few days.
The Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized for emergency use in many countries, including China, UAE, Egypt, Pakistan, Argentina, and Bahrain. It has been given to millions of people worldwide and has been shown to be safe and effective in preventing COVID-19.
The Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine is an important tool in the fight against the ongoing pandemic, and it is part of a comprehensive strategy that includes testing, contact tracing, and other public health measures to slow the spread of the virus.
It’s important to mention that the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine is not a cure for COVID-19, but it can help to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death from the disease. Vaccination is a crucial step in controlling the pandemic and helping to return to a sense of normalcy.