Russia has become the first nation in the world to successfully complete the human clinical trials for the covid-19 vaccine.
The trials were carried out on volunteers at the Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University in Russia. Vadim Tarasov, the director of the Institute for Translational Medicine and Biotechnology confirmed the news to Sputnik saying, “Sechenov University has successfully completed tests on volunteers of the world’s first vaccine against coronavirus.”
On June 18th, the vaccine, developed by Gamalei Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Russia was handed over to the Sechenov University for going ahead with the human trials.
Mr. Taranov further said that the first batch of volunteers is going to be discharged on 15th July while the second group will be discharged on 20th July.
According to the director of the Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical, and Vector-Borne Diseases at Sechenov University, Alexander Lukashev, the objective of this stage of the study was to show the vaccine’s safety on humans, which was successfully completed in a short span of time.
He compared the safety of the newly developed vaccine to the ones available in the world for various other diseases.
“The safety of the vaccine has been confirmed. It corresponds to the safety of those vaccines that are currently on the market,” Mr. Lukashev said.
The director added that decision to develop the vaccine further for use is underway and being determined by its developer. A plan to inculcate the virus with the strength to withstand the complex epidemiological situation is being made along with the possibilities of upping the production scale.
Moreover, Mr. Taranov highlighted the stupendous work of the Sechenov University in completing the human trials for the most sought-after vaccine during these dire times along with functioning as a centre of education for all. He said, “Sechenov University in a pandemic situation acted not only as an educational institution but also as a scientific and technological research center that is able to participate in the creation of such important and complex products as drugs … We worked with this vaccine, starting with preclinical studies and protocol development, and clinical trials are currently underway.”
The Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology on June 18 was given permission for carrying out the clinical trials of two forms of a potential covid-19 vaccine.
The first form was made for an intramuscular (IM) administration which was completed at the Burdenko Military Hospital.
Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University was allotted the work for carrying out the clinical trial for the second vaccine which was in the form of a powder for the preparation of a solution for intramuscular administration.
Burdenko was given 20 volunteers while Sechenov saw 18 volunteers for performing the clinical trials on.
According to an earlier statement from the Russian Defense Ministry, the volunteers at both the permitted centres were proving to get immunity against the virus with the vaccine.
