Vaccine trials in Kingdom begin

TDT | Manama

Phase three clinical trials in Bahrain for a coronavirus (COVID-19) inactivated vaccine has been initiated, the Ministry of Health announced yesterday. The ministry’s public health assistant undersecretary Dr Mariam Al Hajri said that, in collaboration with UAE-based artificial intelligence company G42 Healthcare, the clinical trial will involve an estimated 6,000 citizen and resident volunteers from across the Kingdom.

Dr Al Hajri highlighted that the potential vaccine, enlisted by the World Health Organisation, will be tested on the volunteers who meet the required medical criteria, and that the clinical trials are to be conducted by G42 using a vaccine developed by Sinopharm CNBG, the world’s sixth largest producer of vaccines in the world.

Dr Al Hajri further highlighted that the phase three clinical trials, which will be conducted over 12 months, has been approved by the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA), and they follow the success of its phase one and phase two clinical trials held across China. Dr Al Hajri noted that the phase three trials will be open to volunteers above the age of 18, who do not suffer from chronic or underlying conditions.

Dr Al Hajri outlined that the clinical trials are divided into three phases: the first ensures the efficiency of the vaccine; the second will see the study expanded to ensure an immune response is triggered; and the third will see the vaccine administered to individuals with certain characteristics, such as age and physical health, similar to those for whom the new vaccine is being developed.

In preparation for the start of the vaccine trials, Supreme Council of Health chairman and National Taskforce for Combatting COVID-19 head Lieutenant General Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa made an inspection visit to the clinical trials center at Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre, to check on its general readiness to receive volunteers.