18 Jan

Brazil has started administering a coronavirus vaccine developed by Chinese drugmaker Sinovac Biotech.

Healthcare workers in the city of Sao Paulo began receiving the shots on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, Brazilian authorities gave their approval for the emergency use of Sinovac's vaccine and another made by the British pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca.

Brazilian officials say Sinovac's vaccine costs less than those developed by US and European firms. They also say the Chinese side has cooperated with them by offering data. They add that the safety of the vaccine has been ensured.

The government says it wants to expand its vaccination program. But it has not secured enough doses for the population of more than 200 million.

About 8.4 million people in Brazil have contracted the virus so far. The death toll has topped 200,000.

nhk