A CHINESE study found that vaccines currently available for mass vaccination in China can effectively neutralize the new coronavirus variant first identified in the U.K. last month, according to an official in charge of vaccine development under the State Council on Saturday.

Zeng Yixin, deputy head of the National Health Commission, made the statement during a press conference by the State Council joint prevention and control mechanism against COVID-19, an inter-governmental platform involving 32 departments, leading the nation’s response to the new coronavirus outbreak.

“Two research institutions have conducted a study specifically on this virus variant lately: the Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, and the Institute of Human Virology at Sun Yat-Sen University. By comparing the virus strain that emerged in China from January to June 2020, with the mutation identified in the U.K., they discovered the antibodies found in vaccinated monkeys and humans can neutralize both strains,” Zeng said.

According to the official, the study, which has been submitted for journal publication and is waiting to be published, should be reason for more confidence in the vaccines.

“At least for now, the mutation does not affect the vaccine efficacy. This is very clear,” he added.

Zeng said the joint prevention and control mechanism acted swiftly, establishing a specialized research group on the variant. While pointing out that the virus mutates every day, he called for preventive preparation and more study into vaccine development against virus mutations.

So far, over 9 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in China, and the Chinese Government has promised free vaccines for the general public in an orderly manner.

Zeng also said China will take more stringent epidemic prevention and control measures amid higher risks of COVID contagion during this winter-spring period, especially the upcoming Spring Festival holiday.

Efforts will be made to stagger travel and encourage online shopping during the holiday. The winter vacation schedule and commencement of the spring semester for schools will also be arranged carefully, said Zeng.

Zeng called on people not to return to their hometowns to celebrate the Spring Festival, but stay where they live and work during the holiday to reduce personnel flow.

COVID vaccination costs, including vaccine expenses and inoculation fees, would be covered by medical insurance funds and government funds, rather than individuals, said Li Tao, deputy director of the National Healthcare Security Administration, during the press briefing.

He also noted that the administration’s disbursement on COVID-19 vaccines would not affect the current revenue and expenditure of medical insurance funds or residents’ medical treatment.

(CGTN, Xinhua)