The Department of Health in Abu Dhabi inaugurated the first phase of the global clinical trial to test the third stage of a possible vaccine against the emerging corona virus, listed under the umbrella of the World Health Organization, produced by the company "Cinofarm CNBG", in order to combat the epidemic "Covid-19".
Sheikh Abdullah bin Muhammad Al Hamid, the head of the department, and the deputy of the department, Dr. Jamal Al Kaabi, registered their names at the top of the list of volunteers in the study to receive vaccination and vaccine testing, while five hospitals affiliated to Abu Dhabi Health Services Company “SEHA” were allocated to follow up the health status of volunteers for a full year. Duration of experiments.
The Executive Director of Medical Affairs at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Dr. Nawal Ahmed Al-Kaabi, confirmed during the briefing yesterday, that next week will witness the announcement of the volunteer mechanism, and the launch of the website for volunteer registration, in preparation for communicating with them in order to conduct health tests and ensure their safety, and sign Acknowledgment of detailed volunteering, noting that "the first phase of the clinical trials for vaccination will be launched in Abu Dhabi, in view of cooperation with Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, while the next stages will be announced in the future."
Al-Kaabi said that volunteering is available for all nationalities, and that the conditions include that the volunteer's age be greater than 18 years and less than 60 years, and he was not previously infected with «Covid-19», and that it is free from incurable diseases (such as cancer or immunodeficiency) and for women not to He may be pregnant, or become pregnant during the trial period, indicating that “the volunteer will receive two doses of vaccination separated by three months, and after 28 days of the second dose, a thorough examination will be carried out for him, and then he will be followed for a full year through five hospitals affiliated with a health company.”
She added that the study includes two types of vaccinations for two different types of «Covid-19».
And she continued that «the expected side effects of the volunteers are the same as the side effects of any vaccination, and there will be an accurate follow-up of the volunteers given the large number of participants, and in the event of monitoring any severe side effects, the necessary medical support will be provided», noting that there is a separate body that does not belong to any party from Participants in the vaccine trials, monitor the results and data released and evaluate the information reached.
Al-Kaabi indicated that the first volunteer to participate in clinical trials is Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Head of the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi, and the second volunteer and Undersecretary of the Department of Health Dr. Jamal Al-Kaabi, which reflects the confidence of the medical leadership in clinical trials conducted in the UAE.
For his part, Dr. Walid Zaher, head of the research department and head of the vaccines project at the G42 Medical Group, emphasized that “the third clinical trial phase comes after the success of the first and second stages in China, which resulted in 100% of volunteers generating antibodies after taking two doses Of the vaccine within 28 days, indicating that the third stage is available for volunteers between the ages of 18 and 60 who live in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain to continue for 42 days ».
He said, "Clinical trials are conducted under the supervision and direction of the department and (SEHA) company, and the tests are applied according to the international directives stipulated by the World Health Organization and the US Food and Drug Administration," noting that "the computing power, data analysis and diagnosis of tests are competitive advantages owned by the company (G 42 for care) Health) which will support the success of the global clinical trials for the third stage of the inactive vaccine ».
Zaher added that the UAE health authorities recently obtained the necessary licenses to conduct tests for up to 15,000 volunteers. G42 Healthcare and SEHA aim to complete at least 5,000 tests in the first phase, with the aim of ensuring the program’s efficacy.
The head of biological products at the company "Cinopharm CNBG", Jing Jin Zuo, pointed out that the selection of the UAE as a partner and a location for conducting experiments is due to the technical progress and distinguished infrastructure in the medical sector in the country, and the UAE embraces more than 190 nationalities from all over the world , Which provides an opportunity to test the vaccine on a wide range of demographics, and to ensure that the vaccine will be usable in all countries, in addition to providing the company «G42 Healthcare» advanced technology needed by the project to achieve accurate and rapid results. The experiments are the result of a collaboration between the Abu Dhabi-based G42 Healthcare and Cinopharm CNBG, the sixth largest vaccine producer in the world, which ranked 169th on the Fortune 500 global list for 2018.
The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company “SEHA” supervises its specialized health practitioners, within five main clinics in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, in addition to one mobile clinic, which ensures the easy access of the participating volunteers.
Following the official launch of the experiments trip, the health authorities in the UAE and the G42 Healthcare Company will launch a public awareness campaign soon to encourage the residents of the Emirates to participate in the clinical trials program, which will have a significant impact on the lives of people.
Call for volunteering
Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi, extended an invitation to all citizens and residents of the UAE to volunteer and participate for humanity in the clinical trials that will have a great impact in reaching the desired results, to prove the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, to be added to Record the UAE's achievements and outstanding contributions in the health field worldwide.
He stressed that the safety of society in Abu Dhabi, the UAE and the world is above all else, pointing to Abu Dhabi’s keenness to supplement global efforts in the face of the "Covid 19" pandemic.
He said: “My joining the volunteers in the third stage of clinical trials for possible vaccines against the virus is only a small part of what we are prepared for to redeem the homeland, because everyone owes it to return the favor and gratitude, and here the Emirates contribute to finding a vaccine, not only for the sake of its residents, but for the sake of All humanity. ”
Dr. Nawal Al-Kaabi:
“Announcing the volunteer mechanism and launching a website to register volunteers next week.”
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SEHA hospitals are dedicated to monitoring the health status of volunteers for a full year.