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Egypt to test coronavirus vaccine

Egypt to test coronavirus vaccine
Egypt will test two coronavirus vaccines on volunteers from Sept. 12, the Minister of Health and Population Hala Zayed has said. (File/AFP)
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Updated 12 September 2020

Egypt to test coronavirus vaccine

Egypt to test coronavirus vaccine
  • Zayed warned that Egypt remains in the first wave of the outbreak, but can adapt to the virus through successful vaccine trials
  • The minister said that from Saturday volunteers will be invited for testing

CAIRO: Egypt will test two coronavirus vaccines on volunteers from Sept. 12, the Minister of Health and Population Hala Zayed has said.
The trial vaccines have so far succeeded in their first, second and third phases in other countries.
About 135 vaccines entered clinical trials, with only seven reaching the third phase.
In a statement, Zayed explained the phase system. The third phase will prove the safety of a drug, its appropriate dosage, and whether it provides immunity, she said.
“With regards to the seven vaccines that reached the third stage, we worked with the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations and entered into a large alliance in Geneva in order to secure our needs. We reserved 30 million doses. Tomorrow, we will start the third phase of clinical research for the two vaccines with other countries,” Zayed said.
The minister said that from Saturday volunteers will be invited for testing.
“The two vaccines belong to a Chinese company that gives basic vaccinations for polio and is one of the leading companies in the field,” Zayed added.
A working group was formed from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, the Ministry of Justice and the Drug Authority to oversee clinical research to develop vaccines and supervise the third phase.
The minister said Egypt is well-regarded for successfully fighting the pandemic.
“Egypt is one of the countries known for managing the crisis well and we care about saving lives,” Zayed said.
She warned that Egypt remains in the first wave of the outbreak, but can adapt to the virus through successful vaccine trials.