China approves clinical trials on vaccine for virus

China approved the start of clinical trials on a vaccine for the new coronavirus on Monday.

The recombinant vaccine for the disease COVID-19, was developed by China's Academy of Military Medical Sciences in Wuhan, China's Central Television (CCTV) reported.

Chen Wei, the leader of the research team at the academy, said all preparations had been made for the vaccine's "safety, effectiveness, controllable quality and mass production".

China's National Medical Products Administration approved the start of the clinical trials after a review meeting on Monday afternoon, CCTV said.

Chen's team carried out relevant researches on safety pharmacology, pharmacodynamics, general toxicology and others, on the basis of their prior success in developing an Ebola vaccine, according to CCTV.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.

Worldwide the coronavirus pandemic has infected more than 198,000 people and killed more than 7,900.

More than 81,000 people have recovered so far, mostly in China.