HCMC – Vietnam has planned to test Nano Covax, a Covid-19 vaccine developed by HCMC-based Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC, on 10,000-30,000 people in the third phase of the vaccine clinical trial, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said at a meeting on December 20.
Vietnam will test the vaccine on 60 people in the first phase to measure safety and to confirm that it stimulates the immune system. These people, who are healthy volunteers aged from 18 to 50, will be injected with different dosages including 25, 50 and 75 micrograms. Each volunteer will receive two injections, 28 days apart.
In the second phase, the vaccine will be given to 400-600 people to identify the most effective dosage.
In the third phase, Vietnam will give the vaccine to at least 1,500-3,000 people, or even up to 10,000-30,000 people to determine if it protects against Covid-19, measure the efficacy rate and identify side effects.
The Vietnam Military Medical Academy started the trial injection of Nano Covax on the first three people on December 17. The scientists found that the vaccine is safe for humans 72 hours after the vaccination.
The volunteers will be closely monitored for 56 days and follow-up evaluations will continue for six months from the first injection.
The second phase will be conducted in March next year, while the third phase is scheduled for August 2021.
Dam said Vietnam is trying its best to accelerate the vaccine clinical trial process. However, safety must be the top priority.
Regarding the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines from other countries, Dam said the prices of foreign vaccines would be high, while the supply is limited. Therefore, it’s essential to develop Vietnamese-made Covid-19 vaccines.
Until the vaccines are available, the deputy prime minister said all ministries, departments and people have to continue complying with Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures.
On the same day, Dam visited the first three volunteers of the first phase of the Nano Covax clinical trial, who are currently in a stable health condition.
The Vietnam Military Medical Academy will begin to test the vaccine on other volunteers of the first phase today, December 21.
