[ad_1]
Jakarta –
Development of the corona virus vaccine by the University of Queensland (UQ) and CSL was halted this Friday (11/12), after it was discovered that HIV positive reactions were found in trial participants.
The Australian government plans to buy 51 million doses of this vaccine.
With the completion of trials, Australia is now waiting for vaccines from three manufacturers in other countries.
In a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange, CSL said it would not continue testing, but stressed that the vaccine actually had “compelling safety.”
The CSL also said that participants had been informed before the trials began that the vaccine could interfere with certain HIV diagnostic tests.
“The potential for this cross reaction was anticipated before the start of the trial,” said CSL.
Professor Paul Young of the University of Queensland (UQ), who led the development of the vaccine, said it would take at least another year to fix.
He said that his party was devastated by this, because they had been working for 11 months without stopping.
“But that’s the science. Although this decision is very difficult, the urgent need for a vaccine must be a priority,” he said.
After the development of the COVID-19 vaccine was halted by the University of Queensland and CSL, Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt confirmed that his party would increase the purchase and production of vaccines manufactured by AstraZeneca. (Supplied)
Phil, a participant in the CSL-UQ vaccine trial, said he was disappointed after learning of this cancellation.
The 38-year-old from Brisbane admitted that he was willing to participate in the trial because he wanted to do something to help fight the corona virus.
For ABC, Phil admitted that although he was disappointed, he really understood the decision.
“They told us very clearly at an early stage that there are little bits of inactive HIV,” he said.
“It is part of the vaccine and there is a possibility that we could test positive on the initial test. We all understand that,” Phil said.
UQ and CSL have confirmed that this vaccine causes HIV infection and follow-up testing has not shown that participants have the HIV virus.
Head of the Federal Department of Health Prof. Brendan Murphy said separately that although UQ and CSL were already aware of the possibility of a false positive reaction to HIV, it was initially expected to be minimal.
“The risk of getting a false positive for HIV seems very low at first,” says Professor Brendan.
“Modeling at the time considered it minimal theoretical risk. So participants were informed about the risk,” he explained.
But Professor Brendan emphasized that public trust in any vaccine is an important factor in obtaining people’s consent for injections.
Phil explained that he had been given two injections during the trial.
“I experienced some side effects after receiving the second dose,” he said.
“I remember waking up to run in the morning along the Brisbane River and feeling very weak,” he said.
Was anticipated
In response to the cancellation of the CSL-UQ vaccine, Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt said his party had anticipated it.
He said that in all COVID-19 vaccine purchase contracts, his party had considered the possibility of cancellation and the possibility of increasing the number of orders.
“So, for example, we are adding to the purchase of vaccines that AstraZeneca made in 20 million units of what was foreseen in the contract,” said Health Minister Hunt.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the cancellation of this test showed the Australian people that the government and scientists are very careful in this matter.
“What happened today does not surprise the government. We are moving fast but not rushing,” Prime Minister Morrison said.
Produced by Farid M. Ibrahim from various sources. See more news from Australia on ABC Indonesia.
(ita / ita)
