Pakistan starts third phase clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccine

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has launched the third phase clinical trials of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by a Chinese company.

Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar announced the launch of phase three human clinical trials. In a Twitter post, he said the potential COVID-19 vaccine has been developed by a Chinese firm.

“A total of 40,000 people will participate in this trial in 7 countries, of which 8 to 10,000 will be Pakistani,” he said. “Initial results expected in 4 to 6 months.”

A meeting of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) meeting was held to give briefing regarding the current coronavirus situation and the second phase of reopening schools for secondary students across the country.

During the meeting, the participants were briefed about the clinical trials of the coronavirus vaccine. The first two phases of vaccine trials were held in China, while the third phase trials are being conducted in Pakistan by joint venture of National Institute of Health (NIH) and Cansino China.

Special Assistant Dr Faisal Sultan gave a media briefing and said the vaccine trial had started in Pakistan while the vaccine trials are also important for the improvement in health system.

“Pakistan is now listed among the countries conducting clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccine,” he maintained, adding the clinical trial of the vaccine will help build the capacity of the country to develop other vaccines against different diseases.

NIH director Major General Aamir Ikram said this is the phase 3 clinical trial of the Covid-19 vaccine, during which, the vaccine will be administered to 8,000 to 10,000 volunteers in the next four to six weeks.

He said trials are quite safe because the vaccine has already being administered to servicemen in China. He said it was an honour for the country to participate in the phase 3 trial of a vaccine for the first time.