Human trials of 2nd local COVID-19 vaccine expected in January
The Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC), based in central Khanh Hoa province, has proposed the Ministry of Health allow human trials of its COVID-19 vaccine to begin in January, two months ahead of schedule.
A medial worker prepares to inject Nanocovax, the first made-in-Vietnam COVID-19 vaccine, into a volunteer as part of human trials on December 17, 2020 (Photo: VNA)
Khanh Hoa (VNA) – The Institute of Vaccines andMedical Biologicals (IVAC), based in central Khanh Hoa province, has proposedthe Ministry of Health allow human trials of its COVID-19 vaccine to beginin January, two months ahead of schedule.
The IVAC said it made the proposal following the testing onanimals like hamsters, mice, and rabbits, which has shown that the candidate vaccineis safe and creates high immune response on the animals.
If permitted, this will be the second Vietnamese vaccine inclinical trials on humans, after Nanocovax of the NanogenPharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC, which started the first phase of human trialson December 10, 2020.
IVAC Director Duong HuuThai said the institute’s research on a COVID-19 vaccine began in May, aimingto successfully produce a vaccine and complete three phases of clinical trialsin 18 months.
“Initial results arerelatively goods,” he said, noting that the first phase of testing will lastfor about two months and conclude in April.
If all the three phases showgood results, the vaccine will be available as soon as late 2021, Thaiadded.
The IVAC is set to coordinate with the National Institute ofHygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE) and the Hanoi Medical University to conduct clinical trials.
Different dosages of the vaccine will be injected into 125volunteers of various age groups.
Apart from the IVAC’s vaccine and Nanocovax, Vietnam alsohas some other COVID-19 candidate vaccines being developed./.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on December 21 asked vaccine research units to take strong measures, and suitable and creative methods to speed up vaccine trials in the country.
Seventeen more volunteers were injected with Nanocovax, the first COVID-19 vaccine developed by Vietnam, by the Military Medical University in the morning of December 22.
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A medial worker prepares to inject Nanocovax, the first made-in-Vietnam COVID-19 vaccine, into a volunteer as part of human trials on December 17, 2020 (Photo: VNA) 
