Thailand to begin COVID vaccine human trials in Oct

Thai researchers plan to start COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials in October after the testing on monkeys generated high levels of antibodies against the virus, Thai news agency (TNA) reported.

Kiat Ruxrungtham, director of the Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University vaccine development program said after the trials on monkeys gave favourable results, the next step is to manufacture 10,000 doses for human trials.

The best potential vaccine, developed by Thai researchers will be sent to two facilities in the U.S. and Canada for production.

The first of the human trial, involving 75 volunteers will begin before the end of this year, according to the plan, he said.

The volunteers will be separated in two groups, one for people aged 18 to 60 years old and the other for 60 to 80 years old.

The second phase will enroll 500 -1,000 volunteers in September. If everything goes as planned, the vaccine will be ready for use by mid-next year, he added. - BERNAMA