Russian Health Ministry on Wednesday confirmed that clinical trials of a vaccine against the novel coronavirus have begun in the country, joining the global race to develop a safe COVID-19 vaccine. A statement by the ministry said that the two forms of vaccine (liquid and powder) developed by the Moscow-based Gamaleya research institute will be tested on two groups of volunteers involving 38 people each.
According to Russia’s leading news agency TASS, the two groups of volunteers - military and civilians - have been selected to test the safety and efficacy of the experimental coronavirus vaccine. Director of Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology professor Alexander Gintsburg said that the trials will take about 1.5 months. The participants, who will receive the jab two times with a 21-day interval, will be isolated in two Moscow hospitals.
Professor Gintsburg had earlier said that mass vaccination against the novel coronavirus may begin in Russia this fall, although the process might take up to nine months.
Running clinical trials in the midst of a pandemic is a unique situation. So unprecedented measures have been taken all potential participants of the trial ... spent two weeks (quarantined) in a sanatorium for observation, the ministry said, adding that the first injections are scheduled for Thursday and Friday.
Last month, Gintsburg revealed that he and other researchers had tried the vaccine on themselves before starting human trials, adding that no one experienced any side effects. While he didn’t mention how many people inoculated themselves with the jab, he said everyone is alive and well and cheerful. In comments to RIA Novosti, Gintsburg insisted that he and others hadn’t intended to test the vaccine they were merely looking to protect themselves (from the virus) with the vaccine.
The country’s Association of Clinical Research Organizations accused Russian authorities of rushing researchers to finish clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines, saying an unattainable bar has been set. The association issued a statement condemning the actions of the researchers as a crude violation of the very foundations of clinical research, Russian law and universally accepted international regulations.
“It’s not a trial. It’s self-defense in order for us to continue working (on the vaccine). Losing a staffer (to the virus) would delay the work. Knowing what they’re developing, they consciously took this step. And so did I,” Gintsburg was quoted as saying, reported AP.
The experimental vaccine has already been tested on small and large animals. At least seven research facilities are currently working on coronavirus vaccines, according to Russian media. Worldwide, COVID-19 has now killed at least 445,213 people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019.
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