Russian COVID-19 vaccine trials in UAE reach final monitoring phase

The Russian human adenovirus-based COVID-19 vaccine trials in the UAE have completed the inoculation stage, with 1,000 volunteers receiving their second dose.

A statement posted on the Abu Dhabi Media Office Twitter account, says the trials have moved into the final, scientific data collection phase.

They have been conducted under the supervision of the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) and  Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH).

The next step involves monitoring volunteers’ immune response over 180 days.

The Russian human adenovirus-based vaccine trials in the UAE have completed the inoculation phase, with 1,000 volunteers receiving their second dose. pic.twitter.com/y2Cm0MG8E9

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) March 11, 2021

The UAE findings will be combined with existing global research data, and the interim results are due to be released next month.

The Russian vaccine has so far shown an efficacy rate of 91.6 per cent, as well as strong immunogenicity and safety results.

It's been tested on healthy adults from multiple nationalities, aged 18 years and above, living in the UAE, with no history of COVID-19 vaccinations or infection, and who have not suffered any communicable or severe respiratory diseases.

The vaccine was registered for use in Russia in August 2020, the first registered COVID-19 vaccine out of 165 being developed across the world.

Based on the results of the Russian Phase III clinical trial, which included over 33,000 volunteers, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) authorised the emergency use of the Russian vaccine in the UAE in January.

The UAE clinical trial is part of the Vaccine for Victory (V4V) campaign, the UAE’s chapter of the global vaccination trial of the vaccine developed by Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology.

It's been facilitated in partnership with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF).

Abu Dhabi-based Aurugulf Health Investment and Pure Health will be the official marketing and distribution partners.

"Moving onto this next monitoring phase should be celebrated as an achievement for the UAE’s medical community. It’s an important precursor to studying the immune response in a diverse range of volunteers, paving the way for further securing the safety of our citizens and residents against COVID-19," said Dr Ahmed Al Hammadi, the trial’s principal investigator and Consultant Physician (Infectious Diseases) in the UAE.