In June 2020, the UAE commenced phase-III of clinical trial of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine. The clinical trial process is usually divided in three phases. Phase-I mainly looks into the safety of the vaccine. Phase-II evaluates the immunogenicity and explores the immunisation process in a limited number of individuals. Phase-III considers the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine in a larger population sample. If a vaccine is confirmed to be safe and effective throughout the entire clinical trial process, the test is considered successful, and the vaccine enters the large-scale manufacturing phase.

The inactivated COVID-19 vaccine passed phases I and II of clinical trials without showing any serious adverse reactions. All volunteers of the clinical trials generated antibodies after two doses in 28 days.

Sinopharm China National Biotec Group (CNBG), a Chinese pharmaceutical company and Group 42 (G42), an artificial intelligence and cloud computing company based in Abu Dhabi signed a clinical cooperation agreement. G42 will lead the clinical trial operations in the UAE under the supervision of Department of Health - Abu Dhabi. A safe and effective vaccine could enter the market by the end of 2020 or early 2021 and relieve mankind of COVID-19.

As per information on 16 July 2020, very soon, Abu Dhabi will host the world’s first global clinical phase-III trials of COVID-19 inactivated vaccine enlisted by World Health Organisation (WHO). The UAE requested interested volunteers to register themselves for these trials through the 4humanity website. Read more on 'Volunteering for phase-III of clinical trial of COVID-19 vaccine'.

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