BREAKING: Chinese COVID-19 Vaccine Passes Safety Test

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– Although shot didn’t trigger enough ‘neutralizing’ antibodies, says expert

Indications are emerging that the world is coming closer to a significant solution to the ravaging novel Coronavirus, as China’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate, has been pronounced safe after the first clinical trials results published on Friday.

The Chinese vaccine, produced by CanSino, was the very first shot to enter clinical trials earlier this year, months ahead of human testing for the UK’s lead candidate jab – made by Oxford University – or the American lead-contender, made by biotech Moderna, DailyMailonline report revealed.

It was found safe after no serious side effects were seen in any of the volunteers, though some had mild reactions, such as fever, pain and muscle aches.

The report also indicated that immune responses were seen in most patients, though more research is needed to determine if its enough to prevent infection.

It was gathered that the Chinese CDCs and universities tested the candidate vaccine in 108 people, and it was found safe, with little limitation, as it did not stimulate adequate neutralizing effects against the infection, as disclosed by a US based expert.

According to Dr Peter Hotez, a vaccine expert at Baylor College of Medicine in Texas :”While any increase in neutralizing antibodies was a significant gain over the subjects’ starting levels (zero) was unimpressed with the levels produced in the trial participants.

“The one thing we’re not seeing is a really high neutralizing antibody titer,” he told DailyMail.com
Patients in the trial did have more robust increases in their levels of T cells, immune cells that perform a search and destroy function, rather than the blocking work done by neutralizing antibodies.

While the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi had said earlier in the week that clinical trials for chloroquine will begin in the state next week, and it will take two months for the results to be out.

In a related development, the Minister of State for Health, Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora, along with the Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug, Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Adeyeye and the President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria(PSN) Pharm. (Mazi) Sam Ohuabunwa, had a meeting with Traditional Medical and Herbal Practitioners, who have submitted applications for COVID-19 remedies.

NAFDAC DG had announced on Tuesday that the agency had received four applications from four herbal practitioners for the evaluation of their formulations for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.