China has approved early-stage human tests for two experimental coronavirus vaccines as it battles to contain imported cases and prevent a second wave of COVID-19.  

The experimental vaccines are being developed by a Beijing-based unit of Sinovac Biotech and by the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products , an affiliate of state-owned China National Pharmaceutical Group, state news agency Xinhua reported on Tuesday.

Al Jazeera's Sarah Clarke, reporting from Hong Kong, said China's National Health Commission also confirmed the trials will go ahead. 

In March, Beijing gave the green light to another clinical trial for a coronavirus vaccine candidate developed by the military-backed Academy of Military Medical Sciences and biotech firm CanSino Bio, shortly after US drug developer Moderna said it had begun human tests for their vaccine with the US National Institutes of Health.

"We can confirm now that three particular vaccines are being tested in China, and the National Health Commission has said it will have to clear a number of conditions before they can enable mass production of the vaccines globally," said Clarke.

As of Tuesday, China reported 82,249 coronavirus cases and 3,341 deaths. There were no fatalities over the past 24 hours.

'Very bold decision'

Scientists around the world are racing against time to develop a vaccine for coronavirus, which has killed more than 119,000 people and infected more than 1.9 million globally.

The first approved vaccine in China has started its second phase of the trial, Clarke reported.

"A total of 500 people signed up to volunteer for that in the first phase, which looked at the safety of this vaccine, and the second phase has now introduced a placebo control group," she said.  

But even as hope for a cure is raised, John Nicholls, clinical professor of Pathology at the University of Hong Kong, said: "Vaccines can't be rushed".

His team was one of the first outside mainland China to reproduce the virus in a laboratory for research. 

"Normally with vaccines you start off with small animals and then move to primates and then to the humans," Nicholls told Al Jazeera. "It seems that with this one they have gone straight to the humans, which is a very bold decision.

"Most of the mortality in this disease is in the elderly, so the best thing would be to actually see what the anti-body response is in the elderly rather than the young," he added.

ideabuilder:
anything from china na fake, i beg

Raylight2:
including the phone you used to type this comment?

mignone:
Hope this wouldn't be a Greek gift.

mignone:

Heeyea, not surprised at u though.

Happyfela:
I have a feeling the world will get the vaccine before the year runs out, My bet is on China making it first.

I heard some People won't collect the vaccine cos of 666... Life drama

knowhowk:
Even though sometimes I don't agree with your comments especially on Politics ,Am not a Politician ,D Love I have for the Nation is greater than D one for any Leader .You made a very good point here .Pessimistic souls concerning the Vaccines are so many on here ,Before you say J for Jack It's 666 ,When Facebook newly came ,Same people said it's 666 and right now they use it .

kennyz247:
God bless China for ds height
if not for ds guys, this world would have been in serious mess walahi

Two sides of a coin!

airminem:
Indeed

AkeNathan:
America must release a safe vaccine in the soonest time possible during this pandemic

If China releases a safe and effective vaccine ahead of them, USA can begin to kiss their global power rights good bye.

It is in time of great troubles, that leaders emerge.

When during World War 2, the world was devastated by Hitler, USA entered the show and downed Hitler, they subsequently became global power.

This is the third world war, it is not against humans but against an invincible virus, and China is promising.

Let us see where this will lead