The new clinical trials for Phase III of the inactivated vaccine to combat coronavirus COVID-19 have been started by Abu Dhabi Health Services (SEHA).
Registration for volunteers opened less than 2 weeks ago, initially from Abu Dhabi, and was later opened up to the whole UAE, and has seen more than 10,000 people register.
Dr. Jamal Mohammed Al Kaabi, Acting Undersecretary of the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH), commented that the diversity of nationalities in the UAE made it the perfect place to conduct the trials. Dr. Kaabi said, "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".
Dr. Kaabi continued "The trials attracted volunteers from over 20 nationalities which is a positive sign for an increasingly feasible vaccine".
Up to 15,000 volunteers are sought to take part in the trial with a minimum of 5,000 participants in the first stage of the programme to ensure the robustness of the results.
Registration for volunteers is still open through the website www.4humanity.ae.