In what could be a major breakthrough in mankind’s fight against the coronavirus pandemic, reports suggest that Russia has become the first nation in the world to complete all three levels of clinical trials for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate.
The nation has reportedly completed its clinical trials of the world’s first coronavirus vaccine successfully on volunteers at Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University.
Vadim Tarasov, the director of the Institute for Translational Medicine and Biotechnology allegedly said that the first group of volunteers would be discharged on Wednesday and the second on July 20.
Sechenov University has successfully completed tests on volunteers of the world’s first vaccine against coronavirus.
Vadim Tarasov
Director – Institute for Translational Medicine and Biotechnology
How were the trials carried out
The first stage of research on the vaccine at Sechenov University which began on June 18 involved a group of 18 volunteers and the second group involved 20 volunteers. After vaccination, all volunteers were expected to remain in isolation in a hospital for 28 days.
Earlier, results of the COVID-19 vaccine tests performed on a group of volunteers in Russia showed that they were developing immunity to the coronavirus.
“The data obtained by the Gamalei National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology proves that volunteers of the first and second groups are forming an immune response after injections of the vaccine against the coronavirus.”
Early Russian Defense Ministry Statement
Commercial production
There was, however, no further information on when this vaccine would enter the commercial production stage. Russia had allowed clinical trials of two forms of a potential COVID-19 vaccine developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology on June 18.
The first vaccine, in the form of a solution for intramuscular administration, was carried out at the Burdenko Military Hospital.
Another vaccine, in the form of a powder for the preparation of a solution for intramuscular administration, was carried out at Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are at least 21 vaccines currently under key trials.
