Sinovac and Sinopharm
Chinese vaccines from Sinovac and Sinopharm are among the several fighting the pandemic. Nations want to end this worldwide crisis, so some of them created ways to protect citizens. China has around a dozen vaccines in the works. The ones from Sinopharm and Sinovac are among the most talked-about vaccines.
We’ll start by going through these Chinese companies. We’ll discuss what type of vaccines they’ve made and how effective they are. Then, we’ll explain the other measures needed besides these vaccines to get rid of the coronavirus. Countries can’t wait to develop immunity to this illness, so it’s best to get your shots as soon as possible.
Some countries are using them to defend their populations against the coronavirus. You might be living in one of these nations, so you should know how they could affect you. This could help you get COVID-19 defense.
What is Sinovac?
A nurse holds a syringe containing a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine made by the Beijing Institute of Biological Products, a Sinovac subsidiary of China National Biotec Group (CNBG), a vaccination center, during a government-organized visit in Beijing, China, April 15, 2021. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
According to the Sinovac Biotech Ltd. homepage, the company started in 1993 with CEO Weidong Yin. After 20 years, Sinovac has made six human-used vaccines and one animal vaccine.
Since then, the biopharmaceutical company has reached numerous milestones, such as making the 1st H1N1 vaccine in 2009. Recently, the company made its own COVID vaccine.
It’s used by a few countries, including the Philippines, Singapore, and Indonesia. Sinovac isn’t the only private Chinese vaccine, though. This year, COVID shots from CanSino and Wuhan Biological Products received approval. China now has four domestic vaccines.
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What is Sinopharm?
Boxes of China’s Sinopharm coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine are pictured at a health center in Caracas, Venezuela, on March 7, 2021. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria
The Chinese government also has its COVID vaccine. It was made by the China National Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. or Sinopharm.
Specifically, it was created by one of Sinopharm’s units, the China National Biotec Group (CNBG). Just like Sinovac’s, only a few countries use its vaccines.
Type of COVID-19 vaccine
A nurse holds a box of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine made by the Beijing Institute of Biological Products, a Sinopharm subsidiary of China National Biotec Group (CNBG), at a vaccination center during a government-organized visit in Beijing, China, April 15, 2021. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
There are many kinds of vaccines. One of the latest is called an mRNA vaccine, and it’s one of the COVID shots available. Sinopharm and Sinovac use a different kind of vaccine but with benefits regarding COVID-19 defense.
They used inactivated vaccines that use a dead virus, so it cannot harm the body. The immune system could learn from it safely so that it may fight in the future.
We use inactivated vaccines to defend against other sicknesses like rabies and polio. Besides mainly being safe, it’s doesn’t need unique storage methods.
Using a dead virus doesn’t always help with immunity, though. Sometimes, it can’t help “train” the body against the live virus. That’s why they often require multiple “booster shots.”
This is the case with the Sinovac and Sinopharm shots. Both of them need two vaccine doses so that they could take effect.
They are better than the mRNA vaccines in a few ways. For example, they could be in a regular refrigerator. The Pfizer mRNA vaccine must be kept as low as -70 degrees Celcius.
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How effective are the Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines?
A woman holds a small bottle labeled with a “Coronavirus COVID-19 Vaccine” sticker and a medical syringe in front of the displayed China flag in this illustration taken, October 30, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/File Photo
As we’ve mentioned, there are unclear details on the effectiveness and safety of these vaccines. However, having access to these vaccines at all can decrease your chances of contracting COVID-19 or its other variants.
Recently, a Brazil trial reported that the Sinovac shot is 78% effective. Other countries continue to order Sinopharm and Sinovac shots. For instance, the Philippines just received a half-million doses from Sinovac.
Chile found Sinovac to be 65% effective.
Recently, the Chilean government said that the Sinovac shots were a “game-changer.” It tested the vaccine on 10.5 million people and compared them to people who weren’t vaccinated.
It looked at the effects on the public health system between February 2 – April 1. Chile’s public health official Rafeal Araos said it didn’t check how it would fare against the COVID-19 variants.
Nevertheless, Chile’s vice trade minister Rodrigo Yanez ordered 60 million more doses over three years. He added that their test should help WHO approvals as the 1st real-world study.
Other countries saw high effectiveness from Sinovac shots. Indonesian data showed it was 65% effective. A Turkish test found it prevents symptomatic infection with 83.5% to 100% efficacy.
Vaccines and other parts of a pandemic strategy
Beating the pandemic is more than just vaccinating people. Governments need several measures to help their nations recover from the coronavirus.
For instance, the US White House released its recovery plan in January 2021. It’s called the National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness.
Please click the link above to learn more. Here are the seven goals of this government strategy:
- Get back the American people’s trust.
- Execute a comprehensive vaccination program safely and effectively.
- Slow the spread using public health guidelines and a healthcare workforce.
- Give more emergency relief and use the Defense Production Act.
- Safely reopen businesses and schools while keeping workers safe.
- Protect everyone equally regardless of race or ethnicity.
- Bring back US leadership in the world and be prepared for future threats.
As you can see, it’s more than just choosing between Sinovac or Sinopharm! If you don’t live in the US, you may check your country’s COVID plan online.
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Can’t we get herd immunity?
Some people believe that we don’t need vaccines to beat COVID. After all, we naturally become immune to other sicknesses, so why not this one?
Vaccines from Sinopharm, Sinovac, and other companies may cause side effects. However, letting people get the virus until we all become immune is not a good idea.
Take the US as an example. It will need 70% of its people to recover from coronavirus. That’s around 200 million people that will have to get sick! Simply put, this is irresponsible.
Its healthcare system won’t be able to handle that amount of patients. Worse, this would cause millions to die, especially older folks with other health problems.
Some cite Sweden as proof that vaccines aren’t in need. The country didn’t have a lockdown, unlike others. However, the nation is now finding it hard to contain COVID as a result.
Can I choose not to get vaccinated?
If you’re an American, the government won’t require you to get a vaccine. Instead, your employer might need this for all their workers.
After all, your boss wants to keep everyone in the company safe from the virus. You’re exempt if you have a disability or a particular religious belief, though.
If you don’t want to get vaccinated, talk to your boss or even a doctor for advice. Your country might have different requirements, though. Please check your government’s website for specific COVID guidelines in your area.
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Why should I get a COVID-19 vaccine?
You might be wondering why you need these shots in the first place. You might be thinking it’s an excellent way to avoid side effects from Sinopharm or Sinovac.
Some people think that countries reacted too much to the virus. You might have seen people go through COVID and get back to normal.
However, you might not have heard of long COVID. The disease could leave symptoms long after it’s gone. It could harm both the mind and the body.
Some people have shared how they can’t live an everyday life after getting COVID. A woman from Las Vegas said she needed to rest for an hour after taking out the trash!
Other folks may think proper diet and exercise could keep it away. However, studies show that even athletes suffer long-term symptoms after getting COVID.
COVID shots, like Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines, could protect us from the virus.
Final Thoughts
Sinopharm and Sinovac made two of the vaccines developed in China. No matter what vaccine is available, make sure to learn everything you can.
Considering most advice from medical professionals, having a vaccine alone, no matter the kind, gives you a better chance of not contracting COVID. Most doctors say the best vaccine is the available one and approved by your country’s FDA.
If you could choose from several vaccine brands, get the best one. In reality, no one knows the side effects or results of these vaccines yet, but it’s better than not doing it at all and the impacts can be worse.
Updated April 19, 2021.
