Skip to main content

Saudi Arabia starts third phase of Chinese COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial


By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Saudi Arabia, besides its own, will start the third phase of a clinical trial for a coronavirus vaccine in cooperation with China’s vaccine developing company Can Sino.
The trial will target 5,000 healthy volunteers in Saudi Arabia over the age of 18 years old, and the ministry was currently working on preparing to launch operations in three main cities of Riyadh, Dammam, and Mecca, according to a news report published on August 9, which quoted the Kingdom’s Ministry of Health. 

The first and second phases of the clinical trial of the Ad5-nCOV potential vaccine were conducted in China. 

The first phase conducted between March 16 to 27 and it included 108 volunteers while the second phase was carried on between April 11 to 16, having involved 603 volunteers. 

Can Sino’s vaccine uses a modified common cold virus to carry genetic material from the coronavirus into the human body. It elicits antibody and T-cell immune responses and did not prompt any serious side effects. 

Meanwhile, the Kingdom’s health authorities and organizations have been conducting their own coronavirus clinical trials. Last month, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC) had invited Saudi hospitals to participate in several COVID-19 clinical trials approved by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA). 

The first study ‘Avi Mild 19’ involved the drug favipiravir which was manufactured in Japan and used in cases of mild illness, according to SPA. The second was labelled ‘FACT’ involving a combination of favipiravir and the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine while the third is based on convalescent plasma and the fourth is a comparative study to assess the efficacy of each of the different coronavirus treatment protocols. 

Saudi Arabia has also been training dogs to sniff out COVID-19 infected individuals
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

KDSP: Empowering Individuals with Down Syndrome in Karachi

The Karachi Down Syndrome Program (KDSP), a beacon of hope and support, is making significant strides in empowering individuals with Down syndrome in the city. Founded in March 2014 by a group of passionate parents and individuals, KDSP addresses the critical need for comprehensive resources and platforms for those with Down syndrome in Karachi. Bridging the Gap: A Mission of Advocacy and Inclusion KDSP operates as a non-profit organization with a clear mission: to advocate for the value, acceptance, and inclusion of individuals with Down syndrome. Recognizing the limited support and resources available locally, KDSP was established to provide a nurturing environment where individuals with Down syndrome can lead independent and fulfilling lives. A Lifelong Journey of Support Understanding the unique needs of individuals with Down syndrome and their families, KDSP offers unwavering support from the moment a family receives a diagnosis.  They embark on a journey with each family, pro...
Post a Comment
Read more

China’s top advisory body meets

By Masood Sattar Khan (Pakistan News & Features Services) The third annual session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) opened on May 21, after being delayed for more than two months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Much is expected of this year's session of China's top political advisers as the country's goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects is expected to be realized by the end of this year, which is also the final year of the country's 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20).  The CPPCC National Committee gathers the country's smartest minds from different walks of life.  Their ideas have contributed a great deal to what this country has achieved in its endeavors in poverty alleviation, in making progress in all fields for the realization of the goal of building China into a moderately prosperous country in all aspects. And so have their inputs into the fight against the novel co...
Post a Comment
Read more

KPT celebrates Arfa Karim Day with great enthusiasm

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi (Pakistan News & Features Services) On the occasion of  the second death anniversary of the youngest Microsoft expert and the Pakistani icon, Arfa Karim, the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) organized a harbour cruise for students alongwith Mrs Samina Amjad, mother of late Arfa. Speaking on the occasion, Samina Amjad highlighted the goals set forth by the Arfa Karim Foundation and said that her daughter wanted to bring about a revolution in the field of education using IT as a tool, for imparting quality education to under privileged students particularly in rural areas of Pakistan. This, she pointed out, was even shared by Arfa with international and national media interactions as her daughter has always dreamt big in her short life.  The Arfa Karim Foundation is striving hard to preserve her complete legacy and moving forward to persue her dreams, Samina told the gathering adding that with this objective in v...
Post a Comment
Read more