Abu Dhabi seeks volunteers for phase III trials of Russian Covid-19 vaccine

The volunteer programme for the phase III clinical trials of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine has been launched in Abu Dhabi.

Up to 500 volunteers from Abu Dhabi will initially be invited to participate in the trials.

The human adenovirus-based vaccine will be tested on healthy adults from multiple nationalities, with eligibility criteria including:

* Aged over 18

* Living in Abu Dhabi

* Not been previously infected with Covid-19

* Not have participated in any other vaccination trial

* Not have suffered any communicable or severe respiratory diseases for at least 14 days

Volunteers will receive two doses of the vaccine, administered 20 days apart, and will be monitored through regular visits and tele-consultations for 180 days after taking the shot.

Those eligible and interested in volunteering need to register online via www.v4v.ae.

Participants will then be contacted to arrange an eligibility screening before beginning the trials.

The volunteer programme for Phase III clinical trials of the Russian human adenovirus-based vaccine has been launched under the #VaccineforVictory campaign. 500 volunteers from Abu Dhabi will initially be invited to participate. pic.twitter.com/CUXEQyXGlx

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) December 7, 2020

The trials will be conducted by Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) with joint supervision by the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention. Medical protocols will be handled by the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, SEHA.

The programme is being conducted under the ‘Vaccine for Victory’ campaign for Abu Dhabi citizens and residents.

The trials in the UAE are facilitated through a partnership between the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and Abu Dhabi-based Aurugulf Health Investment.

The phase III clinical trials in the UAE – initially launched in October – form part of trials that are taking place in Russia and other parts of the world.

Read: UAE to begin Phase III trials of Russian Covid-19 vaccine

Results from the first two stages of the trial showed a “stable humoral and cellular immune response” had been achieved in 100 per cent of volunteers, with no serious adverse events recorded, according to the vaccine’s developers.

The vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology at Russia’s Ministry of Health.

The UAE has already undertaken phase III trials for a Covid-19 vaccine developed by Chinese firm Sinopharm CNBG.

Over 31,000 volunteers signed up for that trial and in September, the government authorised the emergency use of the vaccine for frontline staff across the country.

Read: UAE’s Phase III Covid-19 vaccine trial receives over 31,000 volunteers; registrations closed