Pakistan to Start Clinical Trials for COVID 19 Vaccine

Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, acclaimed scientist and the Chairman of Prime Minister’s Taskforce on Science and Technology, discussed the beginning of clinical trials in Pakistan for the COVID 19 vaccination.

Talking to APP, Dr. Rahman said 'The clinical trials will be conducted in partnership with Indus Hospital, Karachi'.

The trial of the said vaccines has been proposed by an renowned international company according to the doctor, who has also stated that an application for the trials to commence had been submitted to the Drug Regulatory Authority in Pakistan (DRAP), a few months prior, and the clinical trials for the vaccine will take around 3 months to complete.

“The second phase of clinical trials has already completed in China. The third phase will begin after completion of the first phase and it will also take three months," said Dr. Rahman.

So far the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), which is based in the University of Karachi, has been approved for conducting clinical trials for the coronavirus vaccine.

Health Services Academy Vice Chancellor and Head of National Vaccinations Committee, Dr. Abdul Hafeez stated while speaking to Dawn, “We will have to register the vaccine, and after that there will be a hectic exercise to ensure the vaccine is available across the country. There are around six front runners globally, and as a vaccine will be used across the country a plan is being prepared to distribute it at the provincial and district levels,"

We await more news regarding the matter as authorities discuss the commencement and start of these clinical trials.