Bahrain begins participation in phase three trials for COVID-19 vaccine

TDT | Manama

Bahrain has begun its participation in phase three clinical trials for a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, in cooperation with those in charge of the experience from the UAE and their Chinese partners. This was announced yesterday by Supreme Council of Health (SCH) president and National Taskforce for Combatting COVID-19 head Lieutenant-General Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.

The SCH chief was speaking as he received a delegation of officials of the potential vaccine, including those in charge of the experience in the UAE, Dr Nawal Al Kaabi and Dr Waleed Abbas, in addition to representatives of Sinopharm’s China National Biotec Group (CNBG), along with Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence and cloud computing company Group 42.

Dr Shaikh Mohammed stressed that exchanging expertise and visits regarding the pandemic will contribute to containing its spread. He also affirmed Bahrain’s unwavering keenness to protect the safety and health of everyone by stepping up its efforts to combat the virus, praising the ongoing close cooperation with brotherly UAE.

The SCH president revealed that the Kingdom’s participation in the first global clinical trials for the third phase of World Health Organisation (WHO)-listed potential COVID-19 vaccine will involve 6,000 volunteer citizens and residents in Bahrain.

He highlighted the efforts made by the Kingdom and the national taskforce to fight the pandemic and ensure the health and safety of all. The visiting delegation lauded Bahrain’s efforts and measures to contain the pandemic through its precautionary and pre-emptive measures, which are consistent with international standards and recommendations from the WHO.