Around 200 people register for made-in-Vietnam COVID-19 vaccine trials

If the trials show good results, the Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC plans to administer Nanocovax to the public in May 2021. (Photo: VOV)

Hanoi (VNA) – About 200 people have
registered to participate in the clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccine ,
a health official said on December 16.

Developed by the Nanogen Pharmaceutical
Biotechnology JSC and the Vietnam Military Medical University, Nanocovax is
Vietnam’s first COVID-19 candidate vaccine to reach the human trial stage.

According to Nguyen Ngo Quang, Deputy Director of
the ’s Department of Science, Technology and Training, 60 people
aged between 18 and 50 will be selected among the volunteers for the first
phase of the trials.
 
The test will last for 56 days from the day given of
the first injection. The participants will be under medical monitoring for six
months.

The Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC has
spent 20 billion VND (865,946 USD) buying a health insurance package for the
volunteers.

If the trials show good results, the drug-maker
plans to administer Nanocovax to the public in May 2021.

Apart from Nanocovax, Vietnam has several other
COVID-19 candidate vaccines being developed by Vabiotech, Polyvac, and the
Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals.

Vietnam reported no new COVID-19 infections on December
16, with the tally standing at 1,405, according to the National Steering
Committee for Prevention and Control.

Of the total, 693 cases were transmitted
domestically. December 16 marked the 15th consecutive day without
community-transmitted infections in the country.

As of December 16 afternoon, 1,252 patients had been
given the all-clear. The fatalities remain at 35.

Among patients still under treatment, three have
tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 once, six twice and six thrice.

A total of 18,378 people who had close contact with
COVID-19 patients or arrived from pandemic-hit areas are being quarantined
nationwide, with 207 at hospitals, 15,567 at concentration facilities and 2,804
at home or their accommodations./.