Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa

Bahrain's health regulator on Dec 13, 2020, announced it has officially approved the registration of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by the China National Pharmaceutical Group, or Sinopharm, according to Bahrain News Agency.

The National Health Regulatory Authority made the decision to approve and use the vaccine after thorough review and evaluation of the clinical trials data.

Bahrain, which has participated in Phase III clinical trials of the vaccine in August, authorized the emergency use of Sinopharm's vaccine in November to cover those frontline professionals in contact with COVID-19 patients.

Several ministers and senior officials have already received the vaccine in Bahrain, including Bahrain's crown prince.