Producers study vaccine efficacy on mutation with additional third-dose injection

Data collected for Chinese COVID-19 vaccines have not shown that mutated coronavirus sequences have a significant impact on the efficacy of those vaccines, but China’s vaccine manufacturers are conducting follow-up experiments of their COVID-19 vaccines on the mutated strains, as some have started to inject a third shot and monitor its efficacy. Media reported the United Arab Emirates has started administering a third dose of the China-developed, two-dose Sinopharm vaccine for some groups to observe the immune system response as part of a scientific study. The Global Times learned that Sinopharm and Sinovac are doing research on whether a third dose would enhance antibody levels and overall efficacy of the vaccines against the coronavirus, and how effective the vaccines are on mutated sequences. A source close to the matter who preferred not to be named told the Global Times on Monday that a third dose is part of follow-up research to monitor and...