Mexico receives active substance for COVID-19 vaccine from Chinese firm CanSino

By Xinhua Published: Feb 12, 2021 03:52 PM

A container of the active substance needed to make a COVID-19 vaccine is seen at the Mexico City International Airport in Mexico City, Mexico, Feb. 11, 2021. The first shipment of the active substance needed to make a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Chinese pharmaceutical firm CanSino Biologics arrived here on Thursday by air, Mexico's Foreign Affairs Ministry announced. (Xinhua)

The first shipment of the active substance needed to make a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Chinese pharmaceutical firm CanSino Biologics arrived here on Thursday by air, Mexico's Foreign Affairs Ministry announced.

Foreign Affairs Minister Marcelo Ebrard said via Twitter that Mexico acknowledges the support of the Chinese government and thanks CanSino for "the timely shipment of the active substance" to be packaged in the country.

According to Deputy Minister for Multilateral Affairs Martha Delgado, the shipment is headed to a laboratory in the central state of Queretaro, where it will be used to make vaccines for use in Mexico.

"This will allow wide sectors of the population to be vaccinated," Delgado tweeted.

Mexico's government on Wednesday announced emergency approval of COVID-19 vaccines developed by Chinese pharmaceutical firms Sinovac Biotech and CanSino Biologics.

Mexico's vaccination campaign began in December 2020 and is expected to end in March 2022.

Staff members unload containers of the active substance needed to make a COVID-19 vaccine at the Mexico City International Airport in Mexico City, Mexico, Feb. 11, 2021. The first shipment of the active substance needed to make a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Chinese pharmaceutical firm CanSino Biologics arrived here on Thursday by air, Mexico's Foreign Affairs Ministry announced. (Xinhua)