Health Ministry: Volunteers may take inactivated COVID-19 vaccine at BIECC

Volunteers willing to take part in the third phase of the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Trial may visit the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC), where they can take the vaccine from 08:00 am to 08:00 pm, the Ministry of Health announced.
 
The move is part of the steps taken within the on-going efforts to contain the novel coronavirus pandemic and limit its spread through stepping up all precautionary and preventive measures to protect the health and safety of everyone.
 
The Health Ministry highlighted its keenness to facilitate the procedures and mechanisms that enable volunteering citizens and residents to join the third phase of the clinical trial of the potential vaccine, enlisted by the World Health Organisation.
 
The ministry noted that the third phase of the vaccine’s clinical trial, conducted in partnership with the China-based pharmaceutical company, Sinopharm, has been approved by the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA). It involves administering the inactive vaccine to the selected volunteers, to study the effectiveness of antibody production and the acquired protection against the virus.
 
The ministry revealed that the trial includes up to 6,000 volunteers, over the age of 18, and volunteers who have to undergo a health assessment prior to enlisting, as per the health requirements set by the approved protocols.
 

The inactivated vaccine is pre-qualified by the World Health Organisation and volunteers can register through the National Volunteer Platform.
 
Bahrain has joined the UAE in the third phase of the clinical trial. The trial follows the successful completion of the first two phases in China, which have reported good success rates.
 
The Ministry of Health extended thanks and appreciation to volunteers who have joined the third phase of the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Trial, which reflects their keenness to assume their social responsibility of protecting public health.