In a major development in the fight against the Coronavirus crisis, Abu Dhabi Health Services, SEHA, recently announced the start of new clinical trials for Phase III of the inactivated COVID-19. The initiative has been taken in accordance with the UAE leadership's vision and commitment to combat the pandemic crisis with support of global collaborative efforts.

The clinical trials are being carried out under the supervision of health officials from the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, and in collaboration with Abu Dhabi-based G42 and China's Sinopharm CNBG.

Responding to the development, Dr. Jamal Mohammed Al Kaabi, Acting Undersecretary of DOH, said that the diversity of nationalities living in the UAE makes the country the perfect place to conduct the trials for more effective results.

"The diversity of nationalities that call the UAE home, as well as the leading role our leadership plays in tackling the virus in various countries of the world, made the country the perfect place for phase III of the clinical trials," Al Kaabi said.

He further lauded the "overwhelming response" received from the Emiratis and residents for volunteering in the clinical trials. He highlighted that more than 20 nationalities have shown their interest in participating in the clinical trials, which he regarded as a positive sign for an increasingly feasible vaccine.

Furthermore, Dr Nawal Ahmed Alkaabi, CMO of Sheikh Khalifa Medical City and Chairperson of the National COVID-19 Clinical Management Committee commended the UAE leadership's continuous support to the clinical trials which are aimed at producing a feasible vaccine against COVID-19 virus and making it available to people in crisis across the world.

So far, more than 10,000 people have registered themselves to volunteer in the clinical trials. As per reports, registration is still open for people to volunteer in the Phase III trials of the COVID-19 vaccine in Abu Dhabi. Interested volunteers can register at www.4humanity.ae.

Abu Dhabi authorities are seeking the participation of at least 15,000 volunteers to support the trials along with a minimum participation of 5,000 volunteers in the first stage of the programme to ensure robustness of the results. 

WAM