<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">China has approved its first locally developed messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine against Covid-19, its manufacturer said Wednesday, months after the relaxation of strict Covid-zero regulations sparked a surge in cases.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The vaccine, developed by CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd, has been approved for "emergency use" by Beijing's health regulator, the company said in a statement.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It showed high efficacy in a trial in which it was used as a booster shot for people who have been given other types of vaccines, the company added, without offering further details.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">mRNA vaccines are considered among the most effective in reducing severe infections and deaths.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">While traditional vaccines use a weakened or inactivated germ to prepare the body for a future attack from the real virus, mRNA deploys snippets of genetic material that carry instructions showing the body's cells how to produce a protein -- in this case, the spike protein on the coronavirus that causes Covid.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The body's immune system then triggers antibodies to fight off that spike protein, making it ready for when the real coronavirus comes knocking.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Beijing has refused to greenlight mRNA-based vaccines from foreign firms Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna for public use.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Its vaccination shortfall was widely believed to have led to more severe infections and deaths after lockdowns and mandatory quarantine rules were suddenly dropped in December.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Other Chinese drugmakers including CanSino have previously said they were developing mRNA-based shots to help the country bridge its immunisation gap. AFP</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>