The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) is backing clinical trial of Covid-19 vaccine which is developed by Russia’s Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology. Sputnik V is world’s first registered vaccine based on a well-studied human adenoviral vector-based platform. Sputnik V’s clinical testing is near completion which is participated by 40,000 volunteers currently in phase III trial in Russia. Interim results show vaccine to be 92% efficient after second dose.

Phase III trials will be conducted in some partner countries including the UAE, that has already recruited over 500 volunteers.

The UAE trial is headed by Dr. Ahmed Al Hammadi, Consultant in Infectious Diseases, Tawam Hospita, and supported by Dr. Basel Al Ramadi, Professor of Immunology and Chairman of the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine & Health Sciences (CMHS), UAE University. Product Development Company (PDC) will be carrying out study in Al Ain with Pure Health managing the project. UAE trial volunteers will receive two vaccine doses three weeks apart at Tawam Hospital.

The volunteers will participate for a year and would be tested at regular intervals to determine efficacy and period of efficacy of the vaccine. Two of the laboratory tests will be conducted by UAEU scientists while other tests at Tawam hospital (SEHA) and Sheikh Khalifa Medical City. UAEU is MENA region’s first university to study the vaccine and is expected to publish the trial results in international peer-reviewed journals.

In November in Al Ain a in person meeting was held between all the partners including the Russian development team who shared scientific background of vaccine in detail and also early trial results. The meeting was conducted at the UAEU College of Medicine & Health Sciences. Prof. Basel Al Ramadi who chaired the meeting said, “We are excited to be part of this clinical trial and grateful for the support provided by CMHS and UAE University. The results of this clinical trial will provide important clues about the long-term immunogenicity and effectiveness of this vaccine.”

The Gamaleya National Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology is named after Nikolai Gamaleya, a pioneer in Russian microbiology who has also developed vaccines against Ebola, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and Influenza.

UAEU CMHS teaching programmes include undergraduate medical degree (MBBS) which is internationally recognized and has now been converted to a 4-year graduate entry MD programme. College also offers several postgraduate degrees.

Along with affiliated teaching hospitals, CMHS also offers higher professional training for physicians at certificate, diploma, clinical specialty training and membership/fellowship levels in major clinical disciplines. CMHS has formed an Emirates Health Service to help in maintain competency among healthcare professionals. The service also has provision to carry out licensing exams, continuing medical education (CME) and continuing professional development (CPD) events, and hospital management and clinical activities.

 WAM