Research

JAMA | Original Investigation

Effect of 2 Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines on Symptomatic COVID-19

Infection in Adults
A Randomized Clinical Trial
Nawal Al Kaabi, MBBS; Yuntao Zhang, PhD; Shengli Xia, BSc; Yunkai Yang, MSc; Manaf M. Al Qahtani, MD; Najiba Abdulrazzaq, MBBS;
Majed Al Nusair, MD; Mohamed Hassany, MD; Jaleela S. Jawad, MBBS; Jehad Abdalla, MBBS; Salah Eldin Hussein, MBBS; Shamma K. Al Mazrouei, MBBS;
Maysoon Al Karam, MBBS; Xinguo Li, MSc; Xuqin Yang, MSc; Wei Wang, MSc; Bonan Lai, MSc; Wei Chen, MSc; Shihe Huang, PhD; Qian Wang, MSc;
Tian Yang, BSc; Yang Liu, MSc; Rui Ma, MSc; Zaidoon M. Hussain, MD; Tehmina Khan, MD; Mohammed Saifuddin Fasihuddin, BSc; Wangyang You, BSc;
Zhiqiang Xie, MSc; Yuxiu Zhao, MSc; Zhiwei Jiang, PhD; Guoqing Zhao, PhD; Yanbo Zhang, MSc; Sally Mahmoud, PhD; Islam ElTantawy, BSc;
Peng Xiao, MSc; Ashish Koshy, MSc; Walid Abbas Zaher, PhD; Hui Wang, BSc; Kai Duan, PhD; An Pan, PhD; Xiaoming Yang, MD

Supplemental content
IMPORTANCE Although effective vaccines against COVID-19 have been developed, additional
vaccines are still needed.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and adverse events of 2 inactivated COVID-19 vaccines.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Prespecified interim analysis of an ongoing randomized,

double-blind, phase 3 trial in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain among adults 18 years and
older without known history of COVID-19. Study enrollment began on July 16, 2020. Data sets
used for the interim analysis of efficacy and adverse events were locked on December 20,
2020, and December 31, 2020, respectively.

INTERVENTIONS Participants were randomized to receive 1 of 2 inactivated vaccines

developed from SARS-CoV-2 WIV04 (5 μg/dose; n = 13 459) and HB02 (4 μg/dose;
n = 13 465) strains or an aluminum hydroxide (alum)–only control (n = 13 458); they received
2 intramuscular injections 21 days apart.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was efficacy against
laboratory-confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 14 days following a second vaccine dose among
participants who had no virologic evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection at randomization. The
secondary outcome was efficacy against severe COVID-19. Incidence of adverse events and
reactions was collected among participants who received at least 1 dose.

RESULTS Among 40 382 participants randomized to receive at least 1 dose of the 2 vaccines
or alum-only control (mean age, 36.1 years; 32 261 [84.4%] men), 38 206 (94.6%) who
received 2 doses, contributed at least 1 follow-up measure after day 14 following the second
dose, and had negative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction test results at
enrollment were included in the primary efficacy analysis. During a median (range) follow-up
duration of 77 (1-121) days, symptomatic COVID-19 was identified in 26 participants in the
WIV04 group (12.1 [95% CI, 8.3-17.8] per 1000 person-years), 21 in the HB02 group (9.8
[95% CI, 6.4-15.0] per 1000 person-years), and 95 in the alum-only group (44.7 [95% CI,
36.6-54.6] per 1000 person-years), resulting in a vaccine efficacy, compared with alum-only,
of 72.8% (95% CI, 58.1%-82.4%) for WIV04 and 78.1% (95% CI, 64.8%-86.3%) for HB02
(P < .001 for both). Two severe cases of COVID-19 occurred in the alum-only group and none
occurred in the vaccine groups. Adverse reactions 7 days after each injection occurred in
41.7% to 46.5% of participants in the 3 groups; serious adverse events were rare and similar
in the 3 groups (WIV04: 64 [0.5%]; HB02: 59 [0.4%]; alum-only: 78 [0.6%]). Author Affiliations: Author
affiliations are listed at the end of this
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this prespecified interim analysis of a randomized clinical article.
trial, treatment of adults with either of 2 inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines significantly Corresponding Author: Xiaoming
reduced the risk of symptomatic COVID-19, and serious adverse events were rare. Data Yang, MD, China National Biotec
Group Company Limited, B2
collection for final analysis is pending.
Shuangqiao Rd, Chaoyang District,
TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04510207; Chinese Clinical Trial Beijing, China (yangxiaoming@
sinopharm.com); An Pan, PhD, School
Registry: ChiCTR2000034780 of Public Health, Tongji Medical
College, Huazhong University of
Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong
JAMA. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.8565 Rd, Qiaokou District, Wuhan, China
Published online May 26, 2021. ([email protected]).

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 Research Original Investigation Effect of 2 Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines on Symptomatic COVID-19 Infection in Adults

E
ffective vaccines against COVID-19 are urgently needed
to control the global pandemic. More than 280 candi- Key Points
date vaccines are in development worldwide, 23 of
Question What is the efficacy of 2 inactivated SARS-CoV-2
which are already in phase 3 trials using different platforms.1 vaccines for prevention of symptomatic COVID-19?
Among the platforms, inactivated vaccines have been exten-
Findings This prespecified interim analysis of a randomized
sively studied. They are generally safe and are widely used for
clinical trial included 40 382 participants who received at least 1
prevention of respiratory infections, such as influenza, as well
dose of a 2-dose inactivated vaccine series developed from either
as other infectious diseases, such as hepatitis A, polio, and SARS-CoV-2 WIV04 (5 μg/dose) or HB02 (4 μg/dose) strains or an
rabies.2 The inactivated vaccines also have the advantage of aluminum hydroxide–only control, with a primary end point of the
being easily stored and shipped at 2 °C to 8 °C for years, mak- incidence of symptomatic COVID-19 at least 14 days after the
ing them suitable for many low-income countries and places second injection. The efficacy for the 2 vaccines, compared with
with limited cold-storage capacity. an aluminum hydroxide–only control, was 72.8% in the WIV04
group and 78.1% in the HB02 group; both comparisons were
Two inactivated vaccines against COVID-19 have been
statistically significant.
shown to be generally safe and have induced antibody re-
sponses in adults 18 years and older in phase 1/2 trials.3,4 How- Meaning Two inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines demonstrated
ever, their efficacy has yet to be demonstrated and their safety efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19 compared with an
aluminum hydroxide–only control.
needs to be evaluated in a larger sample size. Therefore, a mul-
ticenter phase 3 randomized clinical trial is being conducted
to assess the efficacy and safety of these vaccines against Detailed inclusion and exclusion criteria are shown in the
COVID-19 in healthy adults. The results presented here rep- eMethods in Supplement 2.
resent a prespecified interim analysis of the trial findings.
Randomization
Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of the 2 vaccine can-
didate groups or a control group receiving aluminum hydrox-
Methods ide (alum) adjuvant only (in a 1:1:1 ratio), according to unique
Study Design serial numbers generated by an independent statistician.
This double-blind, randomized, phase 3 trial was designed by A stratified block randomization method was used, with study
the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co, Ltd, and the site as the stratification factor and block size in each stratum
Beijing Institute of Biological Products Co, Ltd, both of which of 15. The concealed random grouping allocation and blind
belong to the China National Biotec Group Company Limited. codes were kept in signed and sealed envelopes and were
The ongoing trial is being performed and data are being col- blinded to the investigators, participants, and statisticians. The
lected by the investigators at the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City participants received 2 intramuscular injections 21 days apart.
in Abu Dhabi and the Al Qarain Health Center in Sharjah,
both in the United Arab Emirates (UAE); the Salmanyia Interventions
Medical Complex in Bahrain; Vacsera Medical Center and Development of the 2 inactivated vaccines was described
Katameya Medical Center in Egypt; and Prince Hamza Hospi- previously.3-6 In brief, 2 SARS-CoV-2 strains (WIV04 and HB02)
tal in Jordan. An independent data and safety monitoring were isolated from 2 patients in Jinyintan Hospital, Wuhan,
board is monitoring safety data and evaluating risks among China, and separately used to develop the 2 vaccines (re-
the participants. The study protocol (Supplement 1) was ferred to as WIV04 and HB02 vaccines hereafter). The virus
approved by the institutional review board of each participat- strains were cultivated in qualified Vero cell lines for prolif-
ing country (Abu Dhabi Health COVID19 Research Ethics eration, followed by purification and β-propanolide inactiva-
Committee, research ethics committee of the UAE Ministry of tion. The WIV04 vaccine was adsorbed with 0.5 mg of alum
Health and Prevention, independent research ethics commit- and the HB02 was adsorbed with 0.45 mg of alum, and each
tee at the National Health Regulatory Authority of Bahrain, was packed into prefilled syringes in 0.5-mL sterile phosphate-
institutional review board at the Prince Hamza Hospital in buffered saline without preservative. The total protein con-
Jordan, and research ethics committee at the Central Direc- tent, determined by the Lowry method, was 5 μg in the WIV04
torate for Research and Health Development, Egypt Ministry vaccine and 4 μg in the HB02 vaccine. Because the final prod-
of Health and Population). Written informed consent was uct of the vaccines contained adjuvant, same-dose alum ad-
obtained from all participants before enrollment. juvant (0.5 mg) was selected as placebo control and packed into
prefilled syringes in 0.5 mL of sterile phosphate-buffered sa-
Study Participants line without preservative. The vaccines and controls were ap-
Adults 18 years and older without prior known history of proved by the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control
SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, or Middle East respiratory syn- of China, and were supplied in coded, identical-appearing,
drome infection (via on-site inquiry) were eligible for enroll- single-dose vials.
ment. Participants with respiratory symptoms within 14
days before enrollment and those with confirmed or sus- Assessments
pected serious respiratory diseases or various acute or Participants were educated about COVID-19 and related symp-
chronic diseases that may affect adherence were excluded. toms and were monitored through active follow-up by the

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 Effect of 2 Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines on Symptomatic COVID-19 Infection in Adults Original Investigation Research

investigators (phone call every week and face-to-face exami- up. The grading criteria of adverse events and the relation-
nation at the time of vaccine injection), active reports of the ship with receipt of an injection were decided by the
participants and sentinel hospitals, and passive linkage to lo- investigators before unblinding, and details are shown in the
cal medical systems. Suspected COVID-19 cases were defined protocol (Supplement 1) as well as previous publications from
if participants had (1) at least 2 of the following symptoms last- the phase 1/2 trials.3,4
ing for at least 2 days: fever (axillary temperature ≥37.5 °C),
chills, sore throat, stuffy nose, myalgia, fatigue, headache, nau- Exploratory Immunogenicity End Point
sea or vomiting, or diarrhea or (2) at least 1 respiratory sign or Blood samples were collected before the first injection and
symptom (including cough, shortness of breath), new olfac- on day 14 after the second injection. Serum samples of the
tory or taste disorder, or radiographic evidence of COVID-19– first 900 participants in the 3 centers (Sheikh Khalifa Medical
like pneumonia. Participants with SARS-CoV-2 infection–like City, Abu Dhabi, and Al Qarain Health Center, Sharjah, UAE;
symptoms were requested to come to the designated hospi- the Salmanyia Medical Complex in Bahrain) were selected as
tals immediately for laboratory tests, including real-time re- the immunogenicity subcohort for neutralization capacity
verse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) as- testing using infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus (strain 19nCoV-
say of nasal or nasopharyngeal swab specimens and specific CDC-Tan-Strain04 [QD01]) by the 50% cell culture infectious
IgG antibody tests of serum samples by commercial ELISA dose. Details of the immunogenicity assays were described
(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) kits. A laboratory- previously4 and are provided in the eMethods in Supple-
confirmed case was defined if the patient had a positive RT-PCR ment 2. A positive antibody response (seroconversion) was
test result. Cases were diagnosed and severity status was cat- defined as postinjection titer of at least 1:16 if the baseline
egorized as mild, moderate, severe, or critical according to the titer was below 1:4 or at least a 4-fold increase in postinjec-
Diagnosis and Treatment Scheme for COVID-19 released by the tion titer from baseline if the baseline titer was at least 1:4.
National Health Commission of China,7 with modifications
from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Cen- Sample Size and Power Analysis
ters for Disease Control and Prevention criteria (eMethods in Sample size was calculated according to the WHO recommen-
Supplement 2). dation of achieving 150 cases across the vaccine and control
An end point adjudication committee (EAC) in the UAE groups, with a target vaccine efficacy of 60% and a lower bound
comprising 3 content experts independently determined case of 30%.8 The probability of type I error was set at 1-sided 0.025
diagnosis and severity. The results were then submitted to a and the statistical power was 0.90. Based on the estimated in-
separate EAC in China comprising 5 experts to make the final cidence rate of 850 per 100 000 person-years in the study sites,
decision. EAC members were unaware of group assignment at a total of 44 488 participants were required, anticipating a 15%
the time of adjudication. Adjudication of suspected cases is dropout rate.9 Details of the sample size calculation are shown
shown in a flow diagram in eFigure 1 in Supplement 2. Naso- in the protocol (Supplement 1).
pharyngeal swabs for RT-PCR testing were collected from all
participants before each dose and on day 14 following the sec- Statistical Analysis
ond dose. The local medical systems were also linked to iden- The statistical analysis plan is included in Supplement 3. To
tify participants with symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID- accelerate the vaccine application process, 2 interim analy-
19. Asymptomatic cases were defined as those in which patients ses were planned in the protocol when the combined num-
had positive PCR test results indicating virologic evidence of ber of incident cases of COVID-19 in the alum-only group
SARS-CoV-2 infection but no prespecified symptoms. and either of the vaccine groups reached 50 (one-third of the
planned cases required for final analysis) or 100 (two-thirds
Efficacy End Points of the planned cases), as recommended by WHO.8 In the
The primary efficacy end point was laboratory-confirmed interim analysis, the O’Brien-Fleming spending function10
symptomatic COVID-19 cases that occurred at least 14 days af- was used to control the family-wise type I error to be within
ter receipt of the second vaccine dose. The secondary effi- a 2-sided α of .05. With the planned cases of 50 or 100, the
cacy end point was severe cases of COVID-19 and/or death oc- nominal significance level was calculated to be .0001
curring at least 14 days after receipt of the second dose. Three (1-sided) and .006 (1-sided) for the first and second interim
exploratory post hoc efficacy analyses included asymptom- analyses. However, the precise nominal significance level
atic cases of COVID-19 after day 14 following the second dose, used was to be calculated based on the observed cases
cases that occurred between the first injection and day 14 fol- (eMethods in Supplement 2). Based on the number of events
lowing the second dose, and cases by subgroup (site, sex, age, at the time of the analyses reported here, the significance
baseline IgG status). threshold was set at .0124.
Poisson regression was used to calculate the efficacy of the
Safety End Points 2 vaccine groups compared with the alum-only group, with the
Participants were requested to record any injection site– number of incident cases as the dependent variable, treat-
specific adverse reactions (eg, pain, redness, swelling) and ment group as the independent variable, and the person-
systemic adverse reactions (eg, fever, headache, fatigue) on years as the offset. The primary efficacy analysis was per-
diary cards within 7 days of each injection. Any other unso- formed on data from a modified full analysis population, which
licited symptoms and signs were also recorded during follow- included participants who received 2 doses, contributed at least

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 Research Original Investigation Effect of 2 Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines on Symptomatic COVID-19 Infection in Adults

1 efficacy follow-up visit after day 14 following the second dose, to the WIV04 group, 13 470 to the HB02 group, and 13 471 to
and had negative RT-PCR test results at enrollment. Given the the alum-only group (Figure 1). Among all participants, 40 382
size of the study population of this randomized clinical trial, received the first dose (13 459 in the WIV04 group, 13 465 in
missing covariates at baseline were not likely to have affected the HB02 group, and 13 458 in the alum-only group). Of these
the primary efficacy calculation and were not imputed. Par- participants, 39 223 received the second dose (13 066 in the
ticipants who withdrew from the trial were censored at the time WIV04 group, 13 086 in the HB02 group, and 13 071 in the alum-
of loss to follow-up. only group), among whom 38 206 (12 743 in the WIV04 group,
A number of prespecified sensitivity analyses were per- 12 726 in the HB02 group, and 12 737 in the alum-only group)
formed to test the robustness of the results. First, efficacy was had negative PCR test results before the first dose and were
calculated among participants who received at least 1 injec- included in the modified full analysis population for the pri-
tion, contributed at least 1 efficacy follow-up visit after the first mary efficacy analysis.
dose, and had negative RT-PCR test results at enrollment (full Baseline characteristics in the modified full analysis
analysis population-1); among participants who received at population are shown in Table 1. The mean (SD) age of par-
least 2 injections and contributed at least 1 efficacy follow-up ticipants was 36.1 (9.3) years, and 32 261 (84.4%) were men.
visit regardless of the RT-PCR test results at enrollment (modi- A total of 25 634 participants (67.1%) were recruited from the
fied full analysis population-2); and among participants who study site in Abu Dhabi and 5135 (13.4%) from the study site
completely followed the protocol (per-protocol population-1 in Sharjah, both in the UAE, and 7437 (19.5%) were recruited
and -2). Definitions of and the number of participants in each from the study site in Bahrain. Participant countries of origin
analysis are shown in eTable 1 in Supplement 2. included the UAE (23.6%), India (13.9%), Bangladesh (10.0%),
Three post hoc exploratory analyses were also per- China (9.7%), Pakistan (9.4%), Bahrain (7.1%), Egypt (5.1%),
formed. First, asymptomatic cases after 14 days following the Philippine (3.9%), Nepal (2.3%), and Syria (2.2%). The demo-
second dose were included in the efficacy calculation. Sec- graphics in the study samples approximated the population
ond, symptomatic cases that occurred between the first injec- structure in the UAE, where 72.0% of individuals are males
tion and day 14 following the second dose were included in the and 88.5% are expatriates; the male predominance of trial
efficacy calculation, with the purpose of testing the overall ef- participants likely also reflected exclusion of pregnant
ficacy against symptomatic cases after the first dose. Third, women and women with intention of pregnancy. Among the
subgroup analyses were performed by baseline characteris- participants, 30 035 underwent IgG antibody tests before
tics, including study sites, sex, age groups (aged <60 and ≥60 receiving the first dose and 1925 (6.4%) had positive results.
years), and baseline IgG status. Tests for interaction among sub- Baseline characteristics of participants who received at least 1
groups were not conducted due to limited power. dose (safety analysis set) are shown in eTable 2 in Supple-
Incidence rates of adverse events and reactions in each ment 2, and similar patterns were found as with the modified
group are described in the total cohort of participants who re- full analysis population. Daily counts of administered doses
ceived at least 1 injection. The exploratory immunogenicity at UAE and Bahrain trial sites and daily national number of
analysis was performed in the per-protocol immunogenicity incident COVID-19 cases from July 16, 2020, to December 20,
subcohort. χ2 tests or Fisher exact tests (when data were sparse) 2020, are shown in eFigure 2 in Supplement 2.
were used to analyze categorical data, and t tests or Mann-
Whitney U tests (for nonnormally distributed data) were used Primary Efficacy End Point
to analyze log-transformed antibody titers between vaccine and On November 12, 2020, the first interim analysis was per-
control groups. The significance threshold for the secondary formed with a total of 70 incident cases. On December 20,
and immunogenicity end points was set at 2-sided .05, but be- 2020, the efficacy data set was locked and a second interim
cause of the potential for type I error, these analyses should analysis was planned. Details of the 2 interim analyses and the
be interpreted as exploratory. Analyses were conducted by in- nominal significance levels calculated by the O’Brien-
dependent statisticians using SAS software, version 9.4 (SAS Fleming spending function are described in the eMethods in
Institute Inc). Supplement 2.
As of December 20, 2020, participants had a median
(range) follow-up duration of 77 (1-121) days, beginning 14
days after the second dose (the beginning of the primary out-
Results come case monitoring period). A total of 962 participants had
Study Participants prespecified SARS-CoV-2 infection–like symptoms after
At the time of data set lock for the interim analysis on Decem- receiving the first dose and were subsequently assessed for
ber 20, 2020, data on incident cases were not yet available from case diagnosis and adjudication (eFigure 1 in Supplement 2).
the Egypt and Jordan sites, where enrollment began later and After review by the 2 EACs, 255 symptomatic COVID-19 cases
totaled 3469 participants; thus, the 2 sites were not included were confirmed, with 142 in the primary case monitoring
in the current analysis. Follow-up data are continuing to be col- period and 113 outside of the monitoring period. Among the
lected at all study sites, and data from the Egypt and Jordan 142 cases in the monitoring period, 26 were in the WIV04
sites will be included in the final analysis. group, 21 were in the HB02 group, and 95 were in the alum-
In the UAE and Bahrain sites, 46 270 volunteers were only group (Table 2; Figure 2A). The incidence rate (per 1000
screened for qualification and 40 411 were randomized: 13 470 person-years) was 12.1 (95% CI, 8.3-17.8) in the WIV04 group,

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 Effect of 2 Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines on Symptomatic COVID-19 Infection in Adults Original Investigation Research

Figure 1. Flow of Participants in a Study of the Effect of 2 Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines on Symptomatic COVID-19 Infection in Adults

46 270 Participants assessed for eligibility

5859 Did not undergo randomization

4734 Did not meet eligibility criteria
1046 Did not give written consent
79 Other reasons

40 411 Randomized

13 470 Randomized to the WIV04 group 13 470 Randomized to the HB02 group 13 471 Randomized to alum-only group
13 459 Received first dose 13 465 Received first vaccine 13 458 Received first dose

393 Did not receive the second dose 379 Did not receive the second dose 387 Did not receive the second dose
of vaccine of vaccine of vaccine
300 Withdrew 294 Withdrew 293 Withdrew
53 Lost to follow-up 49 Lost to follow-up 59 Lost to follow-up
14 No longer eligible 13 No longer eligible 9 No longer eligible
12 Ongoing or pending status 14 Ongoing or pending status 15 Ongoing or pending status
9 Adverse event or serious 7 Adverse event or serious 8 Adverse event or serious
adverse event adverse event adverse event
5 Pregnant 2 Pregnant 3 Pregnant

13 066 Received second dose of vaccine 13 068 Received second dose of vaccine 13 071 Received second dose of vaccine

13 428 Included in full analysis population 13 436 Included in full analysis population 13 425 Included in full analysis population
for efficacy for efficacy for efficacy
12 743 Included in modified full analysis 12 726 Included in modified full analysis 12 737 Included in modified full analysis
population-1 for efficacy population-1 for efficacy population-1 for efficacy
12 769 Included in modified full analysis 12 752 Included in modified full analysis 12 767 Included in modified full analysis
population-2 for efficacy population-2 for efficacy population-2 for efficacy
12 671 Included in per-protocol 12 650 Included in per-protocol 12 665 Included in per-protocol
population-1 for efficacy population-1 for efficacy population-1 for efficacy
12 697 Included in per-protocol 12 676 Included in per-protocol 12 695 Included in per-protocol
population-2 for efficacy population-2 for efficacy population-2 for efficacy
13 464 Included in the safety analysis 13 471 Included in the safety analysis 13 453 Included in the safety analysis

900 Selected for immunogenicity 900 Selected for immunogenicity 900 Selected for immunogenicity
assessment assessment assessment
898 Underwent assessment before 896 Underwent assessment before 894 Underwent assessment before
vaccination vaccination vaccination
850 Underwent assessment 14 d 841 Underwent assessment 14 d 834 Underwent assessment 14 d
after the second injection after the second injection after the second injection

See eTable 1 in Supplement 2 for definitions of each analysis population. Among (WIV04: 13 459 + 2 + 3 = 13 464; HB02: 13 465 + 3 + 3 = 13 471). To measure
those receiving aluminum hydroxide (alum) for the first dose, 5 participants neutralization antibody levels, the first 900 participants from each study site
received WIV04 (n = 2) and HB02 (n = 3) vaccines for the second dose and were selected. There were 9 participants in the WIV04 group, 7 in the HB02
were not included in the safety analysis population of the alum-only group group, and 8 in alum-only group who had adverse events or serious adverse
(13 458 – 5 = 13 453), but were included in the WIV04 and HB02 groups, events (SAEs) after the first dose and did not receive the second dose, and only
respectively. Three participants who received WIV04 for the first dose and 1 SAE in the HB02 group was deemed to be vaccine-related. See eTables 7 and 8
HB02 for the second dose and 3 participants who received HB02 for the in Supplement 3 for a list of serious adverse events.
first dose and WIV04 for the second dose were included in both groups

9.8 (95% CI, 6.4-15.0) in the HB02 group, and 44.7 (95% CI, vaccine groups against severe COVID-19 (Table 2). However,
36.6-54.6) in the alum-only group. This resulted in a vaccine these results should be interpreted with caution given the small
efficacy, compared with the alum-only group, of 72.8% ([95% number of incident severe cases. No mortality events oc-
CI 58.1%-82.4%]; P < .001) for the WIV04 group and 78.1% curred during follow-up.
([95% CI, 64.8%-86.3%]; P < .001) for the HB02 group
(Table 2 Figure 2A). Efficacy was similar in the sensitivity Post Hoc Analyses
analyses among various study populations (eTable 3 in A total of 47 asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 were identified
Supplement 2). 14 days following the second dose: 16 in the WIV04 group, 10
in the HB02 group, and 21 in the alum-only group. Thus, the
Secondary Efficacy End Point total number of cases of COVID-19 (including both sympto-
Among the incident cases of COVID-19, 2 severe cases were matic and asymptomatic cases) was 42 in the WIV04 group,
identified in the alum-only group and none were identified in 31 in the HB02 group, and 116 in the alum-only group. A post
the 2 vaccine groups, resulting in an efficacy of 100% in the hoc analysis adding the asymptomatic cases resulted in

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 Research Original Investigation Effect of 2 Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines on Symptomatic COVID-19 Infection in Adults

Table 1. Baseline Characteristics of Participants in a Study of the Effect of 2 Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines
on Symptomatic COVID-19 Infection in Adultsa

No. (%)
WIV04 vaccine group HB02 vaccine group Alum-only group
Characteristic (n = 12 743) (n = 12 726) (n = 12 737)
Age, mean (SD), y 36.2 (9.2) 36.1 (9.3) 36.1 (9.3)
Age groups
<60 y 12 530 (98.3) 12 525 (98.4) 12 539 (98.4)
≥60 y 213 (1.7) 201 (1.6) 198 (1.6)
Sexb
Male 10 706 (84.0) 10 750 (84.5) 10 805 (84.8)
Female 2037 (16.0) 1976 (15.5) 1932 (15.2)
Study sites
Abu Dhabi 8552 (67.1) 8538 (67.1) 8544 (67.1)
Sharjah 1705 (13.4) 1717 (13.5) 1713 (13.4)
Bahrain 2486 (19.5) 2471 (19.4) 2480 (19.5)
National originb
United Arab Emirates 3040 (23.9) 2992 (23.5) 2978 (23.4)
India 1787 (14.0) 1781 (14.0) 1724 (13.5)
Bangladesh 1332 (10.4) 1228 (9.6) 1278 (10.0) Abbreviations: alum, aluminum
China 1247 (9.8) 1219 (9.6) 1245 (9.8) hydroxide; BMI, body mass index.
a
Pakistan 1159 (9.1) 1189 (9.3) 1248 (9.8) Modified full analysis population-1
included those who received 2
Bahrain 875 (6.9) 921 (7.2) 899 (7.1) doses, contributed at least 1 efficacy
Egypt 660 (5.2) 653 (5.1) 647 (5.1) follow-up visit, and had negative
Philippines 476 (3.7) 501 (3.9) 504 (4.0) polymerase chain reaction test
results at enrollment.
Nepal 280 (2.2) 279 (2.2) 319 (2.5) b
There were 7 participants in the
Syria 261 (2.0) 292 (2.3) 287 (2.3) WIV04 group, 9 in the HB02 group,
Others 1626 (12.8) 1671 (13.1) 1608 (12.6) and 6 in the alum-only group who
Height, mean (SD), cmb 170.5 (8.4) 170.7 (8.4) 170.6 (8.4) [n = 12 731] had missing information on height,
[n = 12 736] [n = 12 717] weight and body mass index.
c
Weight, mean (SD), kgb 78.6 (16.8) 78.9 (16.9) 78.7 (16.8) [n = 12 731] There were 2678 participants in the
[n = 12 736] n = [12 717] WIV04 group, 2757 in the HB02,
BMI, mean (SD)b 27.0 (5.0) [n = 12 736] 27.0 (5.1) [n = 12 717] 27.0 (5.0) [n = 12 731] and 2736 in the alum-only group
who had missing information on IgG
Positive baseline IgG antibodyc 640/10 065 (6.4) 666/9969 (6.7) 619/10 001 (6.2)
antibody levels.

a vaccine efficacy of 64.0% (95% CI, 48.8%-74.7%) for the and older were recruited starting late October 2020; there
WIV04 vaccine and 73.5% (95% CI 60.6%-82.2%) for the were 213 participants in the WIV04 group, 201 in the HB02
HB02 vaccine (Table 2). group, and 198 in the alum-only group. No incident cases
A total of 113 symptomatic cases of COVID-19 were identi- of COVID-19 occurred in either group, thus efficacy was
fied between receipt of the first dose and 14 days after receipt not calculated. Among participants with positive IgG anti-
of the second dose: 43 in the WIV04 group, 27 in the HB02 body test results at enrollment (640 in the WIV04 group,
group, and 43 in the alum-only group (Figure 2B). Thus, the 666 in the HB02 group, and 619 in the alum-only group),
total number of cases after the first dose was 69 in the WIV04 only 1 incident case occurred in the alum-only group and
group, 48 in the HB02 group, and 138 in the alum-only efficacy was not calculated. Interpretation of these sub-
group. A post hoc analysis that additionally included those group findings is limited in the absence of tests for interac-
cases resulted in a vaccine efficacy of 50.3% (95% CI 33.6%- tion, which could not be conducted because of limited sta-
62.7%) for the WIV04 vaccine and 65.5% (95% CI 52.0%- tistical power.
75.1%) for the HB02 vaccine against symptomatic cases of
COVID-19 after the first dose. The incidence rate was similar Exploratory Immunogenicity End Points
across groups until the date of the second dose for the HB02 The geometric mean titers of the neutralizing antibody at base-
group and until 14 days after the second dose for the WIV04 line were 2.3 in the 2 vaccine groups and 2.4 in the alum-only
group, compared with the alum-only group, after which the group, while the geometric mean titers on day 14 after the sec-
incidence rates were lower in the vaccine groups compared ond dose were 94.5 (95% CI, 89.7-99.5) in the WIV04 group,
with the alum-only group. 156.0 (95% CI, 149.6-162.7) in the HB02 group, and 2.7 (95%
In post hoc subgroup analyses, similar efficacy rates CI, 2.6-2.8) in the alum-only group (Table 3). The seroconver-
were observed at different study sites and for men and sion rate was 99.3% in the WIV04 group, 100.0% in the HB02
women (eTable 4 in Supplement 2). Participants 60 years group, and 2.3% in the alum-only group.

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 Effect of 2 Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines on Symptomatic COVID-19 Infection in Adults Original Investigation Research

Table 2. Incident COVID-19 Cases and Vaccine Efficacy 14 Days After 2 Doses of Immunizationa

Outcome WIV04 vaccine group HB02 vaccine group Alum-only group

Primary analysis: incident symptomatic cases
No. of participants 12 743 12 726 12 737
No. of incident cases 26 21 95
Person-years 2140.2 2143.3 2125.6
Incidence density per 1000 person-years (95% CI) 12.1 (8.3-17.8) 9.8 (6.4-15.0) 44.7 (36.6-54.6)
Vaccine efficacy (95% CI), % 72.8 (58.1-82.4) 78.1 (64.8-86.3) [Reference]
Secondary analysis: incident severe cases
No. of participants 12 743 12 726 12 737
No. of incident cases 0 0 2
Person-years 2140.2 2143.3 2125.6
Incidence density per 1000 person-years (95% CI) 0 (NA) 0 (NA) 9 (1.0-34.0)
Vaccine efficacy (95% CI), % 100 (NA) 100 (NA) [Reference]
Post hoc analysis: incident symptomatic and asymptomatic casesb
No. of participants 12 727 12 713 12 722
No. of incident cases 42 31 116
Person-years 2135.5 2139.6 2121.0
Incidence density per 1000 person-years (95% CI) 19.7 (14.5-26.6) 14.5 (10.2-20.6) 54.7 (45.6-65.6)
Vaccine efficacy (95% CI), % 64.0 (48.8-74.7) 73.5 (60.6-82.2) [Reference]
Abbreviations: alum, aluminum hydroxide; NA, not applicable. estimated using the least-square method. If the number of cases in any of the
a
The analyses were conducted in the modified full analysis population-1, which groups was less than 5, the exact method was used to estimate the incidence
included those who received 2 doses, contributed at least 1 efficacy follow-up rate, vaccine efficacy, and 95% CI using StatXact software.
b
visit, and had negative polymerase chain reaction test results at enrollment. A Forty-four participants were excluded from the analysis because they had
Poisson regression model with log-link function was used, with the number of asymptomatic COVID-19 between the first dose and 14 days after
incident cases as the dependent variable, treatment group as the independent the second dose.
variable, and person-years as the offset. Incidence density with its 95% CI was

Adverse Reactions and Events the man was heterozygous for very long-chain acyl-CoA de-
Systemic and injection site reaction symptoms (according to hydrogenase deficiency variant, and a woman aged 35 years
solicited reports) are shown in Figure 3 and eTable 5 in Supple- had severe emesis (grade 3) after receiving the second dose,
ment 2. Within 7 days after each injection, total adverse reac- which resulted in emergency visits, but was relieved after
tions were reported by 5957 participants (44.2%) in the WIV04 receiving ondansetron.
group, 5623 (41.7%) in the HB02 group, and 6250 (46.5%) in
the alum-only group. The most common adverse reaction
in the WIV04 group, HB02 group, and alum-only group was
pain at the injection site (24.3%, 19.4%, and 27.9%), followed
Discussion
by headache (12.9%, 13.1%, and 12.6%). Most adverse reac- In this phase 3 randomized trial in adults, 2 whole-virus inac-
tions were mild in severity (grade 1 or 2) and were transient tivated vaccines showed efficacy of 72.8% and 78.1% against
and self-limiting, without need for special treatment. During symptomatic COVID-19 cases. The 2 vaccines had rare serious
8 to 28 days after injection, solicited adverse reactions did not adverse events at a frequency similar to the alum-only con-
increase, while unsolicited adverse reactions increased from trol, and the majority were not related to the vaccinations.
11.1% to 16.1% in the WIV04 group, 10.7% to 15.5% in the HB02 An exploratory analysis found that the 2 vaccines induced
group, and 10.6% to 15.4% in the alum-only group. measurable neutralizing antibodies, similar to results in the
Unsolicited adverse events (related or unrelated to injec- phase 1/2 trials.4,5
tion) are shown in eTable 6 in Supplement 2; total adverse Interim results of phase 3 trials of vaccines using other
events were reported by 48.3% of the participants in the WIV04 platforms have been recently published, including the 2
group, 46.1% in the HB02 group, and 50.5% in the alum-only mRNA vaccines (BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273) and 3 adenovi-
group. A total of 201 serious adverse events occurred during ral vector-based vaccines (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, Gam-COVID-
follow-up with similar rates in the 3 groups: 0.5% in the WIV04 Vac [Sputnik V], and Ad26.COV2.S).11-15 Efficacy was reported
group, 0.4% in the HB02 group, and 0.6% in the alum-only to be 95.0% for the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine;
group (eTable 7 in Supplement 2). Two adverse events were 94.1% for mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccine; 62.1% and 90.0%
considered to be possibly related to the injections, and both for the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine, depending on the dose
were in the HB02 group (eTable 8 in Supplement 2): a man aged scheme (2 standard doses or a low dose followed by a stan-
30 years was diagnosed with possible demyelinating myelitis dard dose); 91.6% for the Gam-COVID-Vac vaccine; and
after receiving the first dose, but later pathophysiological tests 66.9% for the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine. All vaccines, including
excluded the possibility of multiple sclerosis and identified that the 2 inactivated vaccines examined in the current study,

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 Research Original Investigation Effect of 2 Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines on Symptomatic COVID-19 Infection in Adults

Figure 2. Efficacy of 2 Inactivated Vaccines Against Symptomatic COVID-19

A Modified full analysis population-1

1.5
Efficacy of Incidence density
vaccine per 1000 person-years
Group (95% CI), % (95% CI)
Alum-only [Reference] 44.7 (36.6-54.6)
Cumulative event rate, %

WIV04 72.8 (58.1-82.4) 12.1 (8.3-17.8)

1.0
HB02 78.1 (64.8-86.3) 9.8 (6.4-15.0) Alum-only

0.5

WIV04

HB02
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Time since 14 d after the second dose, d
No. of participants at risk
Alum-only 12 737 12 206 11 593 11 149 10 266 8319 7976 7529 1037 531
WIV04 12 743 12 260 11 722 11 256 10 387 8354 8025 7594 1033 526
HB02 12 726 12 249 11 698 11 233 10 366 8390 8077 7664 1031 520

B Full analysis population-1

A, Cumulative event rates of
1.5 confirmed symptomatic COVID-19
Efficacy of Incidence density
vaccine per 1000 person-years cases 14 days following a second
Group (95% CI), % (95% CI) Alum-only vaccine dose among participants who
Alum-only [Reference] 40.7 (34.5-48.1) received 2 doses, contributed at least
1 efficacy follow-up visit, and had
Cumulative event rate, %

WIV04 50.3 (33.6-62.7) 20.3 (16.0-25.6)

1.0 negative polymerase chain reaction
HB02 65.5 (52.0-75.1) 14.1 (10.6-18.7)
test results at enrollment (modified
full analysis population-1). Median
(interquartile range) observation
WIV04
times for all groups was 77 (47-78)
0.5 days. B, Cumulative event rates of
confirmed symptomatic COVID-19
HB02
cases after the first dose among
participants who received at least 1
dose, contributed at least 1 efficacy
0 follow-up visit, and had negative
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120
polymerase chain reaction test
Time after the first dose, d
results at enrollment (full analysis
No. of participants at risk
Alum-only 13 425 13 273 12 981 12 749 12 594 11 857 11 501 10 900 9672 8041 7728 7430 665
population-1). Median (interquartile
WIV04 13 428 13 294 12 979 12 771 12 622 11 984 11 614 11 012 9780 8074 7772 7502 665 range) observation times for all the
HB02 13 436 13 300 12 993 12 781 12 624 11 953 11 618 11 008 9783 8134 7844 7573 653 groups were 112 (82-113) days. Alum
indicates aluminum hydroxide.

Table 3. Neutralizing Antibodies to Live SARS-CoV-2 Before the First Dose and 14 Days After the Second Dosea
Neutralizing antibodies
to live SARS-CoV-2 WIV04 vaccine group HB02 vaccine group Alum-only group
Geometric mean titers (95% CI)
Before the first dose 2.3 (2.2-2.4) [n = 898] 2.3 (2.2-2.3) [n = 896] 2.4 (2.3-2.5) [n = 894]
14 d after the second dose 94.5 (89.7-99.5) [n = 850] 156.0 (149.6-162.7) [n = 841] 2.7 (2.6-2.8) [n = 834]
Geometric mean ratio (95% CI) 41.0 (38.9-43.2) [n = 848] 68.7 (65.5-72.1) [n = 837] 1.1 (1.1-1.1) [n = 828]
Seroconversion rate (95% CI), % 99.3 (98.5-99.7) [n = 848] 100.0 (99.6-100.0) [n = 837] 2.3 (1.4-3.6) [n = 828]
Abbreviation: alum, aluminum hydroxide. baseline if the baseline titer was at least 1:4. The 95% CIs were calculated using
a
Geometric mean ratio was calculated as the geometric mean titer on day 14 the Clopper-Pearson method. Geometric mean ratio and seroconversion were
after the second dose over the geometric mean titer before the first dose. calculated in participants with data both at baseline and on day 14 after the
Seroconversion was defined as postinjection titer of at least 1:16 if the baseline second dose.
titer was below 1:4 or at least a 4-fold increase in postinjection titer from

have met the WHO and US Food and Drug Administration estimates of the efficacy cannot be made because differences
recommendations of being at least 50% more effective than in efficacy could be due to variations in the manufacture
the inactive comparator.16 A direct comparison of the point platforms (and underlying mechanisms of how different

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 Effect of 2 Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines on Symptomatic COVID-19 Infection in Adults Original Investigation Research

Figure 3. Common Adverse Reactions and Grades Within 7 Days After 2 Doses in the Safety Analysis Set

Total adverse Total adverse Total adverse

reactions reactions reactions
Solicited adverse Solicited adverse Solicited adverse
reactions reactions reactions
Local reactions Local reactions Local reactions

Pain Pain Pain

Systemic Systemic Systemic
reactions reactions reactions
Headache Headache Headache

Fatigue Fatigue Fatigue

Myalgia Myalgia Myalgia

Diarrhea Diarrhea Diarrhea

Grade 1
Coughing Coughing Coughing
Grade 2
Fever Fever Fever Grade 3
Unsolicited Unsolicited Unsolicited
adverse reactions adverse reactions adverse reactions

0 20 40 60 80 100 0 20 40 60 80 100 0 20 40 60 80 100

Participants in the WIV04 group, % Participants in the HB02 group, % Participants in the alum-only group, %

The safety analysis population included all participants who received at least 1 each dose or if they had more than 1 symptom in the reaction class (total,
dose. Only adverse reactions that occurred in at least 2% of participants are systemic, and local), they were only counted once in that adverse reaction class.
included; see eTable 5 in Supplement 2 for details of all adverse reactions Participants with both lower- and higher-grade adverse events were counted
(including common and less common adverse reactions). Participants with once in the higher-grade total adverse events. Grading scales for systemic and
more than 1 adverse reaction in a specific reaction category were only counted local adverse events are detailed in the protocol in Supplement 1. Alum
once; for example, if they had the same symptom (eg, injection-site pain) after indicates aluminum hydroxide.

vaccines work in human body),2 characteristics of the study tested, and similar results were found.23 More studies are
populations, infection prevalence, and predominant virus needed to investigate the neutralizing capacity as well as the
variants at study sites. The current trial was conducted in the efficacy of the inactivated vaccines against emerging SARS-
Middle East, where the SARS-CoV-2 incidence rate (44.7 per CoV-2 variants with increased transmission.
1000 person-years in the alum-only group) was lower than in
other studies (79.8 per 1000 person-years in the mRNA-1273 Limitations
trial,11 72.9 per 1000 person-years in the BNT162b2 trial,12 This study has several limitations. First, the study did not in-
149.2 per 1000 person-years in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 trial,14 , clude pregnant women or those younger than 18 years; thus,
and 112.4 per 1000 person-years Ad26.COV2.S trial15). The the efficacy and safety of the inactivated vaccines in these
current study included mainly healthy and younger adults groups remain unknown. Results from phase 1/2 trials among
from Middle Eastern and other Asian countries, while the these groups have not been reported, but evaluation of the
other studies primarily included populations from Western safety and immunogenicity of the 2 vaccines among children
countries and had a higher proportion of older participants. and adolescents is ongoing. Second, the trial was mainly con-
An increasing concern is whether the investigational vac- ducted in generally healthy, young men in the Middle East, and
cines can protect against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants,17-21 there was insufficient power to test the efficacy among those
particularly the variants first detected in the UK (B.1.1.7 lin- with chronic diseases, women, older adults, those in other geo-
eage [501Y.V1]), South Africa (B.1.351 lineage [501Y.V2]), and graphic populations, and those with previous SARS-CoV-2 in-
Brazil (P.1 lineage [501Y.V3]), with variations in the S gene. fections; this includes people who are most vulnerable to se-
A recent study found no protection of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vere COVID-19 cases and mortality.24 Third, there were only 2
vaccine against the B.1.351 variant.22 The efficacy of the 2 in- severe cases of COVID-19 among participants, so conclusions
activated vaccines against these emerging variants could not about prevention of severe cases cannot be made. Fourth, the
be tested given that the variants were not common in the study could not address the question of whether the inacti-
Middle Eastern countries at the time of the trial. A 2021 study vated vaccines prevent against asymptomatic infection, which
assessed the neutralizing activity of serum samples from par- requires formal study-wide surveillance via virologic and se-
ticipants who received 2 doses of the HB02 vaccine against rologic tests. Fifth, 2 study sites (Egypt and Jordan) were not
emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.23 Results of the study found included in the current interim analysis because of a data avail-
similar or slightly higher neutralizing capacity of the HB02 vac- ability issue; the 2 sites will be included in the final analysis
cinee serum samples against the D614G and B.1.1.7 variants of the trial. However, it is unlikely that the results will be ma-
compared with wild-type pseudovirus, but the B.1.351 vari- terially altered given that only 3469 participants were re-
ant showed more resistance to the neutralization of vaccinee cruited from the 2 sites. Sixth, the trial is ongoing, and data
serum (by a factor of 2.5) than the wild-type virus. In the same continue to be collected as specified in the protocol to further
study, another inactivated vaccine, the CoronaVac, was also refine long-term efficacy estimates, potential adverse events,

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 Research Original Investigation Effect of 2 Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines on Symptomatic COVID-19 Infection in Adults

protection against severe disease and mortality, and durabil-

ity of immunity. Although no antibody-dependent enhance- Conclusions
ment phenomenon or vaccine-associated enhanced respira-
tory disease was observed in the preclinical studies in different In this prespecified interim analysis of a randomized clin-
animal models,5,6 phase 1/2 trials,3,4 and the current phase 3 ical trial, treatment of adults with either of 2 inactivated
trial with a large sample size, longer follow-up is needed to pro- SARS-CoV-2 vaccines significantly reduced the risk of symp-
vide firm conclusions about the possibility of vaccine- tomatic COVID-19. Data collection for the final analysis
enhanced illness. is pending.

ARTICLE INFORMATION Mahmoud, ElTantawy, Xiao, Koshy, Zaher, H. Wang, operations. The sponsors used contract clinical
Accepted for Publication: May 12, 2021. Duan, Xiaoming Yang. research organizations to coordinate interactions
Statistical analysis: Xia, Jiang, G. Zhao, with regulatory authorities and oversee clinical site
Published Online: May 26, 2021. Yanbo Zhang. operations. Data were collected by the clinical site
doi:10.1001/jama.2021.8565 Obtained funding: Yuntao Zhang, Li, W. Wang, research staff, managed by a blinded contract
Author Affiliations: Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Y. Zhao, Xiaoming Yang. research organization data management team,
Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), Administrative, technical, or material support: Xia, monitored by a contract research organization, and
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (Al Kaabi, Abdalla, Abdelhadi, Xiao, Koshy, H. Wang, Duan, Xiaoming overseen by the sponsor and an independent data
Hussein, Al Mazrouei, Al Karam, Hussain, Khan, Yang. and safety monitoring board. The interim analysis
Saifuddin Fasihuddin); China National Biotec Group Supervision: Xia, Abdelhadi, Xiaoming Yang. was performed by an independent statistician who
Company Limited, Beijing, China (Yuntao Zhang, Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Drs Xiaoming was not involved in the trial after the data were
Y. Yang, Xuqin Yang, Lai, Q. Wang, T. Yang, Liu, Yang, Yuntao Zhang, and Duan and Ms Y. Yang, collected, checked, and locked for the specific
Xiaoming Yang); Henan Province Center for Disease Ms Y. Zhao, Ms H.Wang, and Mr Li reported groups before unblinding. Manuscript preparation
Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou, Henan, China receiving grants from the Ministry of Science and was performed by the study authors and the
(Xia, You, Xie); Bahrain Defence Force Royal Technology of the People’s Republic of China decision to submit the manuscript for publication
Medical Services, Military Hospital, Kingdom of (2020YFC0842100) during the conduct of the was made by the study authors.
Bahrain (Al Qahtani); Ministry of Health and study. Dr Yuntao Zhang, Ms Y Yang, Ms Xuqin Yang, Additional Contributions: We are grateful for all
Prevention, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Mr Lai, Ms Q. Wang, Mr T. Yang, Mr Liu, and investigators at the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain,
(Abdulrazzaq); Prince Hamza Hospital, Amman, Dr Xiaoming Yang are employees of the China Egypt, and Jordan who contributed to the site work
Jordan (Al Nusair); Ministry of Health, Cairo, Egypt National Biotec Group Company Limited; Mr Li, of the trials. We thank all the participants in the trial
(Hassany); Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Bahrain Mr Chen and Drs Huang and Duan are employees of and members of the data and safety monitoring
(Jawad); National Engineering Technology the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co, Ltd; board. The members in the data and safety
Research Center for Combined Vaccines, Wuhan and Mr W. Wang, Mr Ma, Ms Y. Zhao, and monitoring board included Jielai Xia, PhD (Air Force
Institute of Biological Products Co, Ltd, Wuhan, Ms H. Wang are employees of the Beijing Institute Medical University); Xuanyi Wang, PhD (Fudan
Hubei, China (Li, Chen, Huang, Duan, of Biological Products Co, Ltd—all companies that University); and Xingwang Li, PhD (Capital Medical
Xiaoming Yang); Beijing Institute of Biological developed the vaccine and sponsored the trial. University). The members have expertise in
Products Co, Ltd, Beijing, China (W. Wang, Ma, Drs Jiang and G. Zhao are employees of the Beijing infectious disease prevention and treatment,
Y. Zhao, H. Wang); Beijing Key-Tech Statistical Key-Tech Statistical Consulting Co, Ltd, and vaccine and drug development, epidemiology, and
Consulting Co, Ltd, Beijing, China (Jiang, G. Zhao); received fees from the China National Biotec Group statistics. The members in the end point
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Company Limited to conduct the data analysis. assessment committee in the Middle East included
Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Drs Al Kaabi, Abdalla, Hussein, Al Mazrouei, Jameela Alsalman, MD (Department of Health of
Environment and Health and State Key Laboratory Al Karam, Hussain, and Khan and Mr Fasihuddin Bahrain [chair]); Dala Al Mansoori, MD (Tawam
of Environmental Health (incubation), School of reported being an employee of Abu Dhabi Health Hospital, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company at
Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong Services Company. Drs Mahmoud and Zaher, the United Arab Emirates); and Bassam Mahboub,
University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Mr ElTantawy, Mr Xiao, and Mr Koshy reported MD (Health Authority of Dubai, the United Arab
Hubei, China (Yanbo Zhang, Koshy, Pan); G42 being an employee of the G42 Healthcare. Emirates). The members in the end point
Healthcare, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Ms H. Wang reported receiving grants from the assessment committee in China included Jingui
(Mahmoud, ElTantawy, Xiao, Zaher). Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Wang, MSc (Peking University First Hospital
Author Contributions: Dr Pan had full access to all Commission during the conduct of the study and [chair]); Jinming Li, PhD (National Center for
of the data in the study and takes responsibility for having a patent for 202010575098.9 pending, Clinical Laboratories, National Health Commission
the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the a patent for 202010537733.4 pending, of People’s Republic of China); Bin Cao, PhD
data analysis. Drs Al Kaabi and Yuntao Zhang and a patent for 202010537730.0 pending, a patent (China-Japan Friendship Hospital); Jianxing Qiu,
Mr Xia contributed equally to the study. for 202110052921.2 pending, and a patent for PhD (Peking University First Hospital); and Bassam
Concept and design: Al Kaabi, Yuntao Zhang, Xia, 202110052933.5 pending. Drs Xiaoming Yang and Mahboub, MD (Health Authority of Dubai, the
Y. Yang, Xiaoming Yang. Duan and Mr Li have a patent for 202010559132.3 United Arab Emirates). All members of the data and
Acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data: Xia, pending. No other disclosures were reported. safety monitoring board and end point assessment
Al Qahtani, Abdulrazzaq, Al Nusair, Hassany, Jawad, Funding/Support: This study was supported by the committee reported no conflict of interest with the
Abdalla, Al Mazrouei, Al Karam, Li, Xuqin Yang, National Key Research and Development Project of companies who developed the vaccines, and
W. Wang, Lai, Chen, Huang, Q. Wang, T. Yang, Liu, China (2020YFC0842100). The vaccine was received remuneration for their work.
Ma, Abdelhadi, Khan, Saifuddin Fasihuddin, You, developed and the study was sponsored by the Data Sharing Statement: See Supplement 4.
Xie, Y. Zhao, Jiang, G. Zhao, Yanbo Zhang, Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co. Ltd., the
Mahmoud, ElTantawy, Xiao, Koshy, Zaher, H. Wang, Beijing Institute of Biological Products Co, Ltd, both REFERENCES
Duan, Pan, Xiaoming Yang. of which belong to the China National Biotec Group
Drafting of the manuscript: Yuntao Zhang, Xia, 1. Draft landscape and tracker of COVID-19
Company Limited. candidate vaccines. World Health Organization.
Y. Yang, G. Zhao, Yanbo Zhang, Pan.
Critical revision of the manuscript for important Role of the Funder/Sponsor: The Wuhan Institute Accessed May 18, 2021. https://www.who.int/
intellectual content: Al Kaabi, Xia, Al Qahtani, of Biological Products Co. Ltd, the Beijing Institute publications/m/item/draft-landscape-of-covid-19-
Abdulrazzaq, Al Nusair, Hassany, Jawad, Abdalla, of Biological Products Co. Ltd, both belong to the candidate-vaccines
Al Mazrouei, Al Karam, Li, Xuqin Yang, W. Wang, Lai, China National Biotec Group Company Limited, 2. Kyriakidis NC, López-Cortés A, González EV,
Chen, Huang, Q. Wang, T. Yang, Liu, Ma, Abdelhadi, were the study sponsors and designed the trial, Grimaldos AB, Prado EO. SARS-CoV-2 vaccines
Khan, Saifuddin Fasihuddin, You, Xie, Y. Zhao, Jiang, provided the study product, and oversaw all trial strategies: a comprehensive review of phase 3

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 Effect of 2 Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines on Symptomatic COVID-19 Infection in Adults Original Investigation Research

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