As many as 35 volunteers participated in the second phase of human trials for the locally-produced Nano Covax vaccine against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on February 26 at the Military Medical Academy in Hanoi.

A total of 35 volunteers aged 18 and above queue up to receive injections of the Vietnamese COVID-19 vaccine as part of second-stage trials.

Each individual must complete a registration and undergo rigorous medical examinations before they can take part in the campaign.

Developed by Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC, Nano Covax is the first domestically-made COVID-19 vaccine to reach the human trials stage.

Volunteers have their health thoroughly checked in order to ensure that their health is up to the required standard for the injection.

The group of volunteers consists of two elderly individuals above the age of 60.

In addition to 35 volunteers for the second-stage injection trial, the Military Medical Academy receives roughly 100 people for the medical examination.

The second-stage trial plans to see the participation of a total of 560 volunteers, some of whom suffer from underlying illnesses such as blood pressure, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and cardiovascular.

The second-stage trial is taking place at both Military Medical Academy in Hanoi, and at Ben Luc Medical Centre in Long An province, southern Vietnam.

The 35 volunteers are divided into four groups, with each receiving different doses of either 25mcg, 50mcg, or 75mcg, and a group of five people being given the placebo.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam arrives at the Vietnam Military Medical Academy to encourage the volunteers.