DoH underscores the importance of clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccine

In cooperation with Sinopharm Group and UAE G42 Group

 

ABU DHABI, UAE – Media
OutReach – 24 June 2020 – The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) has
underscored the importance of clinical trials to enhance the healthcare sector
and keep abreast of modern scientific developments. This announcement was made
in parallel with the third phase of clinical trials of the Covid-19 inactivated
vaccine developed by Sinopharm Group. This represents DoH’s support in the
international efforts to combat Covid-19 and highlights the vital role of
scientific research and innovation in the global battle against this pandemic.

The agreement
signing between the two groups was held in the presence of H.E. Sheikh Abdullah
bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of DoH and H.E. AbdulRahman Bin Mohammed Al
Owais, the Minister of Health & Prevention of the United Arab Emirates and
a number of representatives of UAE Group 42, who will be coordinating with
Sinopharm Group and conducting clinical trials in the Emirate under the
supervision of DoH.

DoH explained that the Emirate will take part to support
in accelerating the clinical trials for the world’s first Covid-19 inactivated
vaccine, which has passed its first and second clinical trials in China.

The results have demonstrated the safety of the vaccine,
with no serious adverse reactions. The clinical trials will be conducted with
the participation of volunteers in a number of hospitals across the
Emirate. ​

The agreement supports the third phase of the vaccine
clinical trials that focus on the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. These
clinical trials are part of a broader range of experiments that will be
implemented in accordance with established regulations and systems that are in
place to ensure that research adheres to the highest international standards.
The agreement will also lead to an exchange of expertise in the field of scientific
research.

Commenting on the announcement, Dr. Jamal Alkaabi, Acting
Undersecretary of DoH, said: “Under the guidance of the wise leadership, the
UAE continues to support global efforts to combat COVID-19 while placing the
health and safety of all members of the community at the top of its priorities.
We are proud to be working together with G42 group and Sinopharm Group to
develop and support the vaccine for Coronavirus here in the country. We
will continue to lead the way in
scientific research by building our local expertise and advancing our knowledge
in the scientific field”.

From her side, Dr. Nawal Al Kaabi, Chief Medical Officer
at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, said, “I am extremely proud and honoured that
we have brought together a team of researchers to develop and support clinical
trials for the Coronavirus vaccine. We are happy to share our expertise to help
the world win this battle against COVID-19. We have very high hopes for the
development of this successful vaccine, as we believe in the important role of
clinical trials as a way of ensuring the effectiveness of these vaccinations”.

The Chinese health authorities have recently announced the
success of Coronavirus clinical trials in the first and second stages of the
vaccine, which was developed by the Wuhan Institute of the (Sinopharm) group.
The results of the tests, which were conducted on people who were injected with
the vaccine, and who received two doses of it during a period of 28 days,
indicated a positive antibody transformation rate of 100%.