China's Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine is 67 percent effective in preventing symptomatic infection, and 80 percent effective in fending off deaths from the disease, according to a report released by Chile's Ministry of Health on Friday.

This is also the country's first study report on the efficacy of the vaccine known as CoronaVac. It shows that the vaccine is 85 percent effective against hospitalizations and 89 percent effective in preventing severe cases.

The study followed some 10.5 million people in the country who were vaccinated with two doses, with one dose, or not vaccinated, with the results obtained 14 days after receiving the second dose for those fully vaccinated.

"These figures should convey peace of mind to the country," Health Minister Enrique Paris told journalists as he announced the outcome of two months of vaccination in Chile, in February and March.

Rodrigo Yanez, Chile's vice trade minister who forged a deal with Sinovac to host the drug's clinical trial and buy 60 million doses of the drug over three years, said the results showed Chile had made "the right bet."

The Sinovac vaccine is effective in preventing COVID-19 infection and progression of disease, and the current vaccination program should be continued, the report suggested.

Paris expressed satisfaction with the effectiveness of the vaccine, saying that Chile will continue to use the China-developed vaccine without relaxing its epidemic preventive measures.

(With input from Reuters, AFP)