Moscow, July 12
Russia has become the first nation to complete clinical trials of the Covid-19 vaccine in humans, and the results have shown the drug’s effectiveness, the media reported Sunday.
Chief investigator Elena Smolyarchuk, who heads the Center for Clinical Research on Medicines at Sechenov University, told Russia’s TASS news agency on Sunday that human trials for the vaccine were completed at the university and will be discharged. soon.
“The investigation was completed and showed that the vaccine is safe. The volunteers will be discharged on July 15 and 20, “Smolyarchuk said in the report.
However, there was no further information on when this vaccine would enter the commercial production stage.
Russia had allowed clinical trials of two forms of a possible Covid-19 vaccine developed by the Gamaleya National Center for Research in 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 powder form for the preparation of a solution for intramuscular administration, was carried out at Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University.
The first stage of vaccine research at Sechenov University involved a group of 18 volunteers and the second group involved 20 volunteers.
After vaccination, all volunteers were expected to remain isolated in a hospital for 28 days.
Previously, the results of tests of the COVID-19 vaccine conducted on a group of volunteers in Russia showed that they were developing immunity to the coronavirus.
“Data obtained by the Gamalei National Center for Research on Epidemiology and Microbiology demonstrate that volunteers from the first and second groups are forming an immune response after injections of the coronavirus vaccine,” according to a previous statement from the Ministry of Defense. Russian.
Russia has reported 719,449 cases and 11,188 deaths to date.
There are currently at least 21 vaccines under key trials, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The total number of global COVID-19 cases was approaching 12.7 million, while deaths rose to more than 564,000, according to Johns Hopkins University in the United States.
As of Sunday morning, the total number of cases rose to 12,681,472, while deaths increased to 564,420.
The United States accounted for the highest number of infections and deaths in the world with 3,245,158 and 134,764. Brazil came in second place with 1,839,850 infections and 71,469 deaths. – IANS
