Amid rising COVID-19 cases, there has come a ray of hope as Russia’s Sechenov University is claiming to have developed one of the world’s first coronavirus vaccine.
The researchers claimed that Russia might be one of the first countries in the world to develop a coronavirus vaccine as it has completed the tests on volunteers.
The Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University conducted human trials on a group of a total of 38 volunteers in two batches. It seems that the vaccine has proved to be effective and the volunteers are safe. They will soon be discharged from the facilities in two batches – Wednesday, 15 July and five days after that on Monday, 20 July.
🦠#Sechenov University has successfully completed tests on volunteers of the world’s first vaccine against #COVID19.
“The #vaccine is safe. The volunteers will be discharged on July 15 and July 20″, chief researcher Elena Smolyarchuk told TASS ➡️ https://t.co/jVrmWbLvwXpic.twitter.com/V8bon4lieR
— Russia in India (@RusEmbIndia) July 12, 2020
According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are three phases in the development of a vaccine. During Phase I, small groups of people receive the trial vaccine. In Phase II, the clinical study is expanded and the vaccine is given to people who have characteristics (such as age and physical health) similar to those for whom the new vaccine is intended. In Phase III, the vaccine is given to thousands of people and tested for efficacy and safety.
In the Russian vaccine trials, the first stage of research on the vaccine began on 18 June when a group of 18 volunteers were vaccinated. The second stage had 20 volunteers and they were vaccinated on 23 June.
According to a report, the Russian scientists are hopeful to launch the world’s first coronavirus vaccine by mid-August. Officials add that mass production of the same by the drugmakers may begin by September 2020.