He elaborated that on December 10 Nanogen and the Vietnam Medical Military University will formally recruit volunteers for phase 1 trials, who will be given their first jab one week later.
The parties concerned will also take the necessary steps to prepare for phase 2 trials without waiting for phase 1 to conclude. Minister Long said that “We need to be proactive in different phases to have a vaccine as soon as possible.”
including minimising administrative procedures and accelerating the registration and approval of vaccines.
He said the health ministry will report to the Prime Minister on investment for vaccine manufacturers and work with the manufacturers to help them secure funding for vaccine research and production.
According to information released at a news briefing on December 5, three Vietnamese pharmaceutical companies, namely Ivac, Vabiotech and Nanogen, are testing their vaccines on animals to evaluate safety and immunity.
Nanogen has completed this phase and is ready for phase 1 clinical trials.
Minister Long asked Polyvac, a vaccine research centre under the Ministry of Health, to continue their research while working closely with Russia and China in order to access the vaccines of those countries.
He also requested agencies under the ministry speed up negotiations with foreign vaccine manufacturers so that Vietnam can obtain its own Covid-19 vaccines soon.
