First 1,000 jabs in third-phase trials of Nano Covax administered
The administration of the first 1,000 shots in the third-phase trials of Nano Covax, a home-grown COVID-19 vaccine candidate, has completed, the Hanoi-based Vietnam Military Medical University said.
A medical worker gives a shot of Nano Covax to a volunteer in the third-phase trials at the Hanoi-based Vietnam Military Medical University (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Theadministration of the first 1,000 shots in the third-phase trials of Nano Covax,a home-grown COVID-19 vaccine candidate, has completed, the Hanoi-based VietnamMilitary Medical University said.
The jabs were given to about880 volunteers in the northern region under the university’s coordination andmore than 120 others in the south under the coordination of the PasteurInstitute in Ho Chi Minh City.
The shots were administeredon a 6:1 ratio, which meant six got the vaccine and one received placebo,according to Lt. Col. Chu Van Men, Director of the university’s Centre for Clinical Trials and Bioequivalence.
The volunteers will haveblood samples taken to test the generation of immunity by July 30, and dataabout the vaccine safety and immunity generation are set to be available bymid-September.
After the first 1,000volunteers, the trials of Nano Covax will continue on another 12,000 on a 2:1ratio, with two getting the vaccine and one the placebo.
The third-phase trials, usingonly the 25mcg doses, cover 13,000 volunteers aged between 18 and 75 nationwide.
Results of the first twostages show good immunity generation in all volunteers, Men noted.
Nano Covax has been developedby the Nanogen Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyJSC since May 2020. The first-phase trials began on December 18, 2020 while thesecond phase on February 26 this year, and the third on June 11.
Vietnamalso has several other vaccine candidates under development./.
The clinical trials of Vietnamese COVID-19 vaccine candidate Nano Covax are set to enter Phase 3 this month with the optimal dosage of 25mcg, aiming to further test the safety and efficacy of the vaccine in humans before mass production begins.
Vietnam is accelerating efforts to secure adequate vaccine supplies amidst a resurgence of COVID-19 infections in the country, said Dr Le Hong Hiep, a Senior Fellow at Singapore-based ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, in a commentary published on fulcrum.sg on June 8.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the Health Ministry has directed units to study and clinically test made-in-Vietnam vaccines while seeking technological transfer from abroad to proactively fight the pandemic in the country.
Vietnam’s national count of COVID-19 cases has crossed the milestone of 10,000 more than a month after the resurgence of the virus began in late April, wreaking havoc on multiple major industrial parks where thousands of factory workers have become infected.
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The 56-year-old patient from Quang Tri province was discharged in stable condition as he no longer experienced shortness of breath and was able to walk, move around, and eat normally.
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Vu Trung, Director of the Pasteur Institute, said that under the MoU, the two sides committed to promoting diverse and practical collaborative activities, including joint conferences and workshops, exchanges of scholars, researchers and students, sharing academic materials, and the development of specific programmes and projects in scientific research, training, and epidemic prevention.
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After such a long time, the law has revealed many limitations, prompting the Ministry of Health (MoH) to gather opinions to amend the law to give more chances to thousands of patients every year.
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During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Ministry of Health swiftly launched a telemedicine programme, connecting more than 1,000 medical establishments nationwide. The model, which remains in operation, has benefited tens of thousands of patients, including foreign nationals.
After more than three weeks of intensive treatment, the patient's pneumonia improved, breathing stabilised, sedation was reduced, and the breathing tube was removed. He is now conscious, able to eat orally, and in recovery.
A medical worker gives a shot of Nano Covax to a volunteer in the third-phase trials at the Hanoi-based Vietnam Military Medical University (Photo: VNA) 
