German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach signed a permit to allow the import of China’s COVID-19 vaccine Sinovac into Germany from Wednesday, but the serum will only be administered to Chinese residents living in the country, the weekly German Der reported. Spiegel, quoted by DPA, Reuters and Agerpres.

“With this approval, we want to make sure that the people of China are protected by their vaccine here in Germany,” said Minister Lauterbach.

Following Wednesday’s announcement, the Sinovac vaccine can be imported into Germany and administered exclusively to Chinese residents of the European country.

Minister Lauterbach’s decision is based on an analysis by the Paul Ehrlich Institute, Germany’s vaccine authority, which announced that the Sinovac vaccine could be administered under the coordination and responsibility of the Chinese embassy and consulates.

A possible approval of the Sinovac vaccine for German citizens is currently under consideration by the government in Berlin.

Wednesday’s decision came shortly after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced in November a deal to allow foreigners living in China to be vaccinated with a Covid-19 serum made by Pfizer-BioNTech.