Real-world data shows domestic vaccines effective against new variants
China DailyPeople receive COVID-19 vaccines at a temporary vaccination site in Nan'an district of Chongqing, Southwest China, March 27, 2021. Real-world studies in China have shown domestic COVID-19 vaccines are effective in reducing severe cases and deaths against the Delta and Omicron variants, a leading health expert said on Saturday. Shao Yiming, a member of the country's vaccine development expert panel, said getting a booster shot can induce stronger immunity to prevent breakthrough infections and spread of the novel coronavirus, citing research conducted in regions that had dealt with local outbreaks including Shaanxi province and Tianjin municipality. As the Omicron variant has become the dominant strain circulating the globe and triggering several domestic outbreaks since January, he said China has launched research into new vaccines tailored to the variant as a precautionary measure. The country's top drug regulator is reviewing clinical trial applications filed by researchers of inactivated vaccines targeting Omicron, he said.