Since Convidecia – a Chinese-made single-dose vector viral vaccine for Covid-19 – was listed for emergency use by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on May 19, the Ministry of Health has not issued any announcement approving its use in Cambodia.
Developed by CanSino Biologics, Convidecia is the 11th jab to get validated by the UN body since the outbreak of the pandemic.
WHO’s emergency use listing (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.
The Chinese embassy in Phnom Penh announced the approval on social media on May 20.
“The Convidecia vaccine has 64 per cent efficacy in preventing viral infection and 92 per cent against developing severe Covid-19 symptoms,” the embassy said.
It is the third Chinese vaccine that has received the EUL from WHO, after Sinopharm and Sinovac.
According to WHO, Convidecia is based on a modified human adenovirus that expresses the spike S protein of SARS-CoV-2 – the pathogen that causes Covid-19 – and is administered as a single dose.
The health ministry has yet to approve its use in the Kingdom.
Or Vandine, head of the national Covid-19 vaccination committee, said on May 22 that Cambodia has been campaigning for Covid-19 vaccine donations from European countries as well as from Australia, India, China and the US, among others.
“Please, everyone come and get inoculated. The vaccines we use are ... on WHO’s emergency list and are all effective in preventing the spread of Covid-19,” she said.
