In July, the Gulf Arab state started Phase III clinical trials of the vaccine, developed by Beijing Institute of Biological Product, a unit of Sinopharm's China National Biotec Group (CNBG). In September, it authorised emergency use of the vaccine for certain groups, the first such international clearance for a vaccine developed in China. The analysis also shows "99pc seroconversion rate of neutralizing antibody and 100pc effectiveness in preventing moderate and severe cases of the disease", the ministry said in a statement carried by the state news agency. "The analysis shows no serious safety concerns," it said. It also said it had officially registered the vaccine, without elaborating, and that 31,000 volunteers across 125 nationalities participated in the UAE trial. It did not say what, if any, side effects it identified, how many participants have become ill or how many volunteers were given the vaccine or a placebo. CNBG could not be immediately reached for comment.