Coronavirus: Trials begin in Brazil with Oxford vaccine

Testing of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by the University of Oxford in the UK began in Brazil last weekend, the Lemann Foundation, which funds the project, reported on Monday night (06/22).

Tests for the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine in Brazil were announced earlier this month, and it is expected to have 2,000 volunteer patients in Sao Paulo, according to the Federal University of that city (Unifesp). Another thousand patients will participate in Rio de Janeiro.

"Last weekend (June 20 and 21), the Lemann Foundation had the opportunity to celebrate in Sao Paulo, with the partners involved and responsible specialists, the start of tests for the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine, developed by the Oxford University, "reported the entity headed by Brazilian billionaire Jorge Paulo Lemann.

According to Unifesp, the volunteers in Sao Paulo are health professionals between 18 and 55 years old, as well as other employees linked to the Paulista School of Medicine of Unifesp.

Vaccine registration is near

Earlier this month, Unifesp reported that tests with Brazilian volunteers will contribute to the registration of the vaccine in the UK, scheduled for later this year. However, formal registration will only occur after studies are completed in all participating countries, the university said.

The vaccine, whose request for tests in Brazil was made to the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) by the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, is currently in phase 3 trials, "which means that the vaccine is among the most advanced stages advanced development, "said Unifesp.

Brazil is the first country outside the UK to start testing with the vaccine developed by the University of Oxford. One of the reasons that led to the election was the fact that the pandemic is on the rise in the country.

Another vaccine against COVID-19, developed by the Chinese company Sinovac, should begin testing in Brazil next month, in association with the Butantan Institute, linked to the São Paulo state government. This test, according to the institute, will be financed by the São Paulo government and should have 9,000 volunteers.

Source: DW