UAE begins Phase 3 COVID vaccine trials

By Rahul Vaimal, Associate Editor
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Abu Dhabi’s Health Services Unit (SEHA) has commenced conducting new clinical trials for phase III of the inactivated vaccine from the Chinese pharmaceutical giant, Sinopharm CNBG.

The trials are being conducted under the supervision of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, and are conducted in collaboration with Abu Dhabi’s G42 Healthcare and Sinopharm CNBG.

Department of Health’s Acting Undersecretary, Dr. Jamal Mohammed Al Kaabi said that the diversity of nationalities in the UAE made it the perfect place to conduct the trials.

“The diversity of nationalities that call the UAE home, as well as the leading role our leadership plays in tackling the virus in various countries of the world, made the country the perfect place for phase III of the clinical trials,” he said.

Al Kaabi commended the “overwhelming response” by the Emiratis and residents to the call for volunteers.

“The trials attracted volunteers from over 20 nationalities which is a positive sign for an increasingly feasible vaccine,” he added.

Dr. Nawal Ahmed Alkaabi, CMO of Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, and Chairperson of the National COVID-19 Clinical Management Committee lauded the UAE leadership’s keen support to the clinical trials, aimed at making providing a feasible COVID-19 vaccine and making it available to the people in need worldwide.

More than 10,000 people have registered as volunteers. Registration is still open to volunteers interested in participating in the Phase III trials of COVID-19 inactivated vaccine in Abu Dhabi through the website.

Up to 15,000 volunteers are being sought to take part in the trial with a minimum of 5,000 participants in the first stage of the program to ensure the robustness of the results.

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