Pakistan to start phase 3 trials of Chinese coronavirus vaccine this month

ARAB NEWS PAKISTAN 
In this file photo, Pakistani scientists examine samples at the Public Health Reference Laboratory in Lahore, April 23, 2020. (AN photo)
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  • Minister says vaccine trials in Pakistan expected to start in 10 days
  • Pakistan has witnessed a significant decrease in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will take part in stage 3 trials of a Chinese coronavirus vaccine this month, Planning Minister Asad Umar said on Saturday.

In phase 3 trials, scientists give the vaccine to thousands of people to determine if it protects against COVID-19. Such trials are large enough to reveal side effects that might be missed in earlier studies. 

“Pakistan will be participating in phase 3 trials of a Chinese developed vaccine for coronavirus. The trials in Pakistan will inshallah start in about 10 days,” the minister said in a Twitter post.

Pakistan has witnessed a significant decrease in COVID-19 cases and fatalities in recent weeks, which prompted the government to announce that educational institutions would reopen from Sept. 15.

On Saturday, the country reported three coronavirus-related deaths. Since the first cases were reported in March, the country of 220 million people has recorded 300,955 infections and 6,373 deaths.