The Sinopharm vaccine, manufactured by China National Biotec Groupm, has become the fifth Covid-19 vaccine approved by the World Health Organization.
Once approved, it means the vaccine can now be spread globally and used as part of the WHO Covax scheme to provide coronavirus vaccines to poor countries.
The vaccine, which is given in two divided doses from three to four weeks, was approved for use in adults aged 18 years and older. No age limit has been set, although the WHO says the lack of elderly subjects in clinical trials means that "efficacy could not be assessed in this age group".
"The WHO recommends that countries that use the vaccine in older age groups conduct safety and effectiveness monitoring," the health agency said.
Adding the vaccine has the potential to quickly accelerate access to Covid-19 vaccines for countries seeking to protect health workers and at-risk populations.
Source: Guardian
