Sinovac says its COVID-19 vaccine more effective with longer dosing interval

FILE PHOTO: A nurse receives a dose of the Sinovac's coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, after Brazil health regulator Anvisa approved its emergency use at Hospital das Clinicas in Sao Paulo, Brazil January 17, 2021. REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli/File Photo

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's Sinovac Biotech said on Monday that a clinical trial in Brazil showed its COVID-19 vaccine was almost 20 percentage points more effective in a small sub-group of patients who received their two doses longer apart.

The protection rate for 1,394 participants who received doses of either CoronaVac or placebo three weeks apart was nearly 70%, a Sinovac spokesman said.