Vietnam is about to test the vaccine against Covid-19 in humans

There were 4 out of 8 lots of mice that were tested for Covid-19 vaccine by VABIOTEC, which were evaluated by the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology to have antibody response, that is, effective against Covid-19.

"We are estimating a minimum of 4-5 months, a maximum of 9 more months we can test the vaccine against Covid-19 in humans" - Mr. Do Tuan Dat, director of VABIOTEC (Vaccine One Member Company Limited Application and biologicals No. 1, Ministry of Health) said.

Great opportunity for Vietnam

While many vaccine developers around the world have announced the opportunity to produce the Covid-19 vaccine, which will be available to early humans, there is a hope for a Vietnamese manufacturer. 

Many countries and companies are trying to become the first to successfully develop the Covid-19 vaccine - (Image: REUTERS)

According to Prof. Dang Duc Anh - Director of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 4 out of 8 batches of mice vaccinated against this vaccine at the end of April have been evaluated as having antibody and preventable responses. Covid-19.

According to Duc Anh, the world is using three technologies to produce the vaccine for Covid-19. The first is the technology that uses inactivated viruses, which is the technology China is currently working on and they have produced vaccines. 

China is conducting human trials at an early stage, resulting in a relatively good immune response, but facilities for vaccine production must also meet requirements, such as acute biosecurity. 3, if mass production is difficult to meet in the current period.

The second technology VABIOTEC is using, is the use of a virus vector. "We look for the corona virus antigen and introduce it into a benign virus, inject it into mice, initially see the above results. Some countries are using this technology," Mr. Duc Anh explained. 

Newer 3rd technology, gene technology, USA, UK and some countries are producing Covid-19 vaccine with this technology. They have also developed vaccines, including the evaluation on people will take a few months. "As for Vietnam, follow me about 6-9 months," Mr. Duc Anh said.

Early 2021 can be tested on humans

VABIOTEC vaccine developers started working on the Covid-19 vaccine from February 2020, when the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology isolated the virus. But the preparation was started earlier, when four of the company's young scientists went to study at the University of Bristol, UK, which collaborates with the institute in vaccine production, including this vaccine. 

The research phase is also conducted quickly and so far, there have been 2 experimental injections in mice, 4 series of injected mice were evaluated to have antibody response.

Dat said that in order for this Covid-19 vaccine to become a commercial product, it needs to be developed so that the production efficiency increases to millions of doses, with stable quality. 

"Under current conditions, we expect a minimum of 4-5 months, up to 9 more months for us to be able to test in animals again before a formal human trial. After that, an additional 2- 3 months to complete production stages and can put the vaccine into official use " - Mr. Dat said.

If the above time steps are met, Vietnam's Covid-19 vaccine could catch up with major vaccine manufacturers around the world. This is not too surprising, because Vietnam has had a vaccine manufacturing industry and has been producing vaccines since the 1960s with four generations of scientists in this field continuing to accompany in one field. Very difficult but also very glorious and hopeful.

There have been predictions that the 2nd Covid-19 wave will appear in the coming winter, if there is no vaccine available, the risk of epidemic will be very large, the world will hardly have a chance to reopen. Therefore, if the Vietnam vaccine is completed on schedule, it will also be a great hope for Vietnam, for us .

This is the first time a new vaccine has been developed in such a fast time. It used to take 3-5 years to develop a vaccine that used to take years, but now the new technology shortens the time it takes to research, evaluate, test, and for the first time. Nam also caught up with international manufacturers, when 2 out of 4 injected mice (antibody-responsive series) used wild corona virus strains isolated in Vietnam (or called strains). ), two series of vaccinations were developed, but the immune response effect was the same.