MANAMA (BLOOMBERG, REUTERS) - Bahrain approved the registration of the Sinopharm Group vaccine against Covid-19 about a week after the United Arab Emirates registered the Chinese-made vaccine.

"Results from Phase III clinical trials showed an 86 per cent efficacy rate, a 99 per cent seroconversion rate of neutralising antibody and 100 per cent effectiveness in preventing moderate and severe cases of Covid-19," the National Health Regulatory Authority said in a statement on Sunday (Dec 13).

Bahrain has participated in phase III clinical trials, in which more than 7,700 volunteers signed up. Bahrain had previously authorised the emergency use of the vaccine, which was provided to frontline workers in contact with coronavirus patients.

The UAE registered the Sinopharm vaccine after finding it had a 86 per cent efficacy rate, paving the way for a full public use and allowing for a re-opening of the Gulf nation's economy.

Egypt plans to start the process of inoculation against the coronavirus after receiving the first shipments of Sinopharm vaccine.

Meanwhile, Peru has temporarily suspended trials of the vaccine after an unspecified "adverse event" was reported during a clinical trial that occurred with one of the volunteers for the study, the Peruvian government said on Saturday.

The health ministry said the event is "under investigation to determine if it is related to the vaccine or if there is another explanation".