Abu Dhabi began phase three of clinical trials for a COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday, the emirate’s government media office said.
The human trial is the world’s first WHO-listed phase three clinical trial for a coronavirus inactivated vaccine.The trail is a partnership between Sinopharm’s China National Biotec Group (CNBG), Abu Dhabi based artificial intelligence and cloud computing company Group 42 and the Abu Dhabi Department of Health.
Abu Dhabi Department of Health Chairman, Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed, was the first to participate in the trial, followed by Acting Undersecretary Jamal Al Kaabi.
The vaccine already passed phases one and two of the clinical trials without showing any serious negative reactions, with 100% of all volunteers generating antibodies.
The clinical trial process is usually divided into three phases, UAE state agency said the first phase mainly looks into the safety of the vaccine. Phase II evaluates immunogenicity and explores the immunization process in a limited number of individuals. Phase III considers the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine in a larger population sample.
If a vaccine is confirmed safe and effective throughout the entire clinical trial process, the test is considered successful, and the vaccine enters into the large-scale manufacturing phase.
