Human trials of SECOND Covid-19 vaccine may begin in January

VGP – Human trials of second homegrown Covid-19 vaccine may begin in late January this year.

January 03, 2021 6:35 PM GMT+7

A nurse prepares a dose of Nanocovax, the first Covid-19 vaccine in Vietnam, as its human trials started in Hanoi on December 17, 2020. Photo by VnExpress

The vaccine, Covivac, has been developed by the Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC) since May 2020

The IVAC, established in 1978, has asked for the Ministry of Health’s authorization to conduct human trials at the end of January after it had completed testing in mice and rabbits, two months ahead of its plan.

Dr. Duong Huu Thai, IVAC Director said outcomes of animal testing have shown that Covivac induced strong immune responses.

The IVAC will coordinate with the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE) and the Ha Noi Medical University to conduct the phase one human trials.

Each dose will require two shots with the first one followed by a second 28 days later under strict surveillance of the Ministry of Health.

Viet Nam started human trials of first Covid-19 vaccine, Nanocovax, on December 17, 2020.

Beside the two aforesaid vaccines, two other homegrown vaccines are under development by the Vaccine and Biological Production Company No. 1 (Vabiotech) and the Center for Research and Production of Vaccines and Biologicals (Polyvac).

As of 6:05pm on Sunday, Viet Nam confirmed 1,494 Covid-19 infection cases, including 1,339 recoveries and 35 fatalities./.

By Quang Minh