World leaders receive COVID-19 vaccine shots developed by China

The United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

The UAE announced on Dec 9, 2020, the official registration of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by the China National Pharmaceutical Group, or Sinopharm, the official WAM news agency reported.

The UAE became the first country to offer Chinese-developed COVID-19 vaccines to all citizens and residents for free, on Dec 23. The trials in UAE shows the Chinese vaccine provides 86 percent efficacy against COVID-19 infection.

The vaccine was granted Emergency Use Authorization in September by the health ministry to protect frontline workers most at risk of COVID-19.

The phase III trials in the UAE have included 31,000 volunteers from 125 countries and regions.