Two local COVID-19 vaccine research units, the Military Medical Academy and Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC, have started the process of recruiting volunteers to participate in the first phase of clinical vaccine trials, with several volunteers on December 10 registering to join the programme.

The morning of December 10 sees several volunteers register to participate in the trial scheme of a local-produced COVID-19 vaccine named Nanocovax that has been developed by Nanogen.

A male student from the Military Medical Academy outlines that he believes in the safety of the trial vaccine, adding that he will be the first person in the country to be protected if the vaccine proves to be successful.

Another student from the Military Medical Academy says that although he is slightly worried about complications and the potential side effects of the vaccine, he has decided to sign up for the trial vaccine programme as he believes in the safety of the experimental vaccine.

Approximately 30 people participate in the COVID-19 vaccine trial on the morning of December 10.

Volunteers must fill out in the registration form to participate in the vaccine trial scheme

Nguyen Ngo Quang, deputy director of the Department of Science, Technology and Training, says since the initial COVID-19 outbreak, NANOGEN have been active in conducting research and introducing new technologies in an effort to develop new vaccines for the general public. Indeed, the success of a COVID-19 vaccine’s development is largely dependent on factors such as manufacturers, managers, and the community

The academy also plans to arrange 24 hospital beds, while also having a host of highly skilled doctors and nurses on duty around the clock, in order to ensure the health of volunteers if they face any unexpected reactions after being injected

Prof. Dr. Do Quyet, director of Military Medical Academy, says the academy has prepared a modern refrigerator system that is capable of preserving the Nanocovax vaccine. He affirms that top priority has been given to the safety of volunteers during the trial phase of the vaccine.