HCMC – The first human trial of a Covid-19 vaccine produced by VABIOTECH Company in Vietnam is expected to begin in early 2021, said Do Tuan Dat, director of the company.
The Hanoi City-based firm will test the vaccine on animals one more time in the next nine months before starting the first trial on humans, Dat told Tuoi Tre newspaper.
The developers of the VABIOTEC vaccine in coordination with the UK’s Bristol University had been conducting research to develop the Covid-19 vaccine since February this year, after the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology managed to culture and isolate the novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2.
The research on the vaccine was facilitated to prepare for the testing stage. To date, two trials of the vaccine have been carried out on mice. According to Dang Duc Anh, head of NIHE, the vaccine that was injected into four of the eight batches of mice in late April was evaluated to prove successful.
After that, it could take three more months to complete essential steps for the production of the vaccine and put it to use, said the head of VABIOTEC, which is a State-owned enterprise under the Ministry of Health.
Given the forecast that the second wave of the coronavirus will spread in the coming months, it would be impossible for the entire world to ease border restrictions and resume normalcy if there is no Covid-19 vaccine approved. Accordingly, if the coronavirus vaccine made in Vietnam proves effective, the country can participate in the fight against the virus.
Vietnam reported 355 Covid-19 infections as of this morning, July 1, with 335 recoveries and zero deaths.
