The state media of China reported on 15 January 2021 that a COVID-19 vaccine developed by China National Biotec Group (CNBG), a Sinopharm subsidiary, is safe in those aged between three and 17, Reuters news agency reported on Friday.

This is reportedly based on clinical data obtained by the company.

The chairman of CNBG, Yang Xiaoming, was quoted as telling China's Xinhua news agency: "It should be noted that for three to five-year-old children, because their immune system is still developing, they must be carefully and closely monitored during vaccination," without providing further details.

Currently, CNBG has two COVID-19 vaccines in Phase 3 clinical trials, both of which have been authorised for emergency use and are being given to limited priority groups at high risk of infection. A Sinovac Biotech COVID-19 candidate has also been authorised for emergency use.

It was not immediately clear which CNBG vaccine Yang was referring to in his comments about clinical trials on children and teenagers.

Reportedly, Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine candidate and a shot from CanSino Biologics are also being tested on children and teenagers.

Western vaccine developers including Pfizer and Moderna have also included children as young as 12 years in their clinical trials, Reuters added.