In a milestone development, the first Phase III clinical trials of an inactivated COVID-19 vaccine in the United Arab Emirates has become one of the largest initiatives in the world in volunteer recruitment amid the fight against the pandemic crisis. According to reports, over 31,000 volunteers from more than 120 nationalities in the UAE have been vaccinated in only six weeks as part of the phase III trials.  

Developed by one of the world's leading vaccine manufacturer, Sinopharm CNBG, the 4Humanity trials of the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine are being by G42 Healthcare based in Abu Dhabi in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, and Abu Dhabi Health Services Company.

The vaccine trials are picking up the pace with efficiency and effectiveness in volunteer registration, screening, and vaccination. Thousands of volunteers across the region have been vaccinated with the second shot and their health is being regularly checked and monitored as part of the process of the trials. The UAE health authorities are provided complete support and assistance to the process for the wellbeing of the participants.

As the trials achieved the milestone, the vaccine centres at ADNEC and Al QarainCenter in Sharjah have been closed to new volunteers. However, these centres are open for volunteers who are already a part of the process and taking the second shot of the vaccine. Furthermore, based on the approved protocols for the programme, regular health check-ups are being carried out on the basis of the timelines set for individual volunteers who are participating.

Responding to the development, Abu Dhabi's Department of Health affirmed that the programme has sufficient numbers of volunteers required for the successful completion of the clinical trial for COVID-19 vaccine, adding that new registrations will be closed from August 30.

"This achievement would not have been possible without the support of our wise leadership and its continuous support of scientific research in the healthcare sector. This indeed is an accomplishment in the field of healthcare and will place our country at the forefront of global research efforts to confront this pandemic," DoH Chairman Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed said.

On behalf of the DoH, also thanked all volunteers who expressed their keenness towards participating in the clinical trials for serving the nation and greater good of humanity. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed further lauded the efforts of the medical staff of Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, SEHA, as they continued to work tirelessly for the success of the clinical trials.

The Department of Health reaffirmed its commitment towards following up on all volunteers in the programme in accordance with protocols approved by the concerned authorities. The medical team will either carry out direct interviews or calls to follow-up on the health of the volunteers in the clinical trials.

Celebrating the milestone of achieving over 31,000 volunteers for the trials, the Health Ministry, the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, SEHA, Sinopharm and G42 Healthcare extended their gratitude to the volunteers for their contribution towards the global cause and to the medical, administrative and technical staff for their vigorous efforts towards the success of the programme. It is because of their participation and commitment towards the clinical trials which have helped in developing the first tested and safe vaccine for COVID-19.

Commenting on the achievement, Minister of Health and Prevention Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais stated that the UAE leadership has been committed to overcoming COVID-19 with global efforts from the very beginning of the outbreak across the world.

"The public-spirited nature of citizens and residents and their willingness to volunteer is a powerful endorsement of the proactive approach the UAE has taken in what is a world-leading inactivated vaccine trials programme" the Minister said.

Adding that it is a proud achievement for all volunteers and clinical and administrative staff who have participated in the clinical trials, he said that it shows a sense of unity and shared purpose among everyone that has driven the nation for the past five decades.

Phase III of the clinical trials was initiated by the authorities after the success of both Phase 1 and Phase II of the trials which provided 100 percent results with volunteers generating antibodies without any side-effects. The final scale and size of the number of volunteers will eventually place the UAE's clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccine in line with the globally-accepted number of volunteers for the trial programme that is around 45,000 or above.

These clinical trials are part of the UAE's national initiatives aiming to foster population health and boost the medical research and development capabilities of the country, including domestically manufacturing the vaccine.

WAM