China has approved its first domestically produced messenger RNA (mRNA) Covid-19 jab, a vaccine that its developer said worked well against some recent variants, including the dominant strain in the United States.

The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) approved the SYS6006 vaccine, developed by CSPC Pharmaceutical, for emergency use on Wednesday about a year after its clinical trials began, according to the company.

The Hebei-based company said it tested the jabs on about 4,000 cases in a study from December 10 to January 18, and found the booster efficacy to be more than 85 per cent after two to four weeks.

The data has not been published in a peer-reviewed journal.

“Clinical study shows that SYS6006, either as a basic shot or booster shot, could consistently enhance the reactivity of T cells to various variants including Delta, Omicron BA.2 and BA.5 in a high and more enduring manner,” the statement said.

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