ISLAMABAD: In a significant development, Planning and Development MinisterAsad Umar announced on Tuesday the launch of phase 3 human clinical trialsof a Chinese vaccine for Covid-19.
In a Twitter post, he said the potential Covid-19 vaccine has beendeveloped by a Chinese firm. “A total of 40,000 people will participate inthis trial in 7 countries, of which 8 to 10, 000 will be Pakistani,” hesaid.
“Initial results [are] expected in 4 to 6 months.”
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Health Services Dr.Faisal Sultan, briefing the media alongside the National Institute ofHealth (NIH) director, said the vaccine would benefit people globally ifits human clinical trial yielded better results. He hoped that this vaccinewill be safe and effective.
“Pakistan is now listed among the countries conducting clinical trials ofCovid-19 vaccine,” he maintained, adding the clinical trial of the vaccinewill help build the capacity of the country to develop other vaccinesagainst different diseases.
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NIH director Major General Aamir Ikram said this is the phase 3 clinicaltrial of the Covid-19 vaccine, during which, the vaccine will beadministered 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 beingadministered to servicemen in China.
Maj Gen Ikram said it was an honour for the country that it wasparticipating in the phase 3 trial of a vaccine for the first time.
