Hospitals in Pakistan Are Now Conducting COVID-19 Vaccine Trials

Hospitals in Pakistan are now conducting COVID-19 vaccine trials. The National Institute of Health, Islamabad, will play the role of the National Principal Investigator. At the same time, other significant hospitals in different cities will conduct the trials, including Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi, Shifa International Hospital Islamabad, University of Health Sciences Lahore, Shaukat Khanum Hospital, Lahore, and Indus Hospital Karachi.

This particular vaccine is called the CanSino vaccine, developed at the Beijing Institute of Biochemistry in China. The period of trial is supposed to last six months.

Who Can Participate? 

Volunteers from all socioeconomic classes are invited. Volunteer must be over 18 years of age to apply for the trial test. Only healthy volunteers who have no history of COVID-19 infection are eligible. Women planning a pregnancy shortly (90 days), lactating, or already pregnant do not qualify for the test trial. The authorities expect a turnover of 10,000 people.

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PUBLIC NOTICE Pakistan is conducting clinical trials for the CanSino vaccine made by Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, China, for protection against novel corona virus.This is the first Phase- III, placebo controlled, randomised clinical trial for vaccine in Pakistan. The recruitment of volunteers has begun at five hospitals across Pakistan with National Institute of Health, Islamabad, as the National Principal Investigator. Research sites include Shifa International Hospital Islamabad, University of Health Sciences Lahore, Shaukat Khanum Hospital, Lahore, Indus Hospital Karachi, and Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi. Over 10,000 people are expected to be recruited for the study which is supposed to last six months. Healthy participants, with no history of diagnosed COVID-19 infection, from all socioeconomic classes are invited. Volunteers should be over 18 years of age. Pregnant, lactating and women planning to be pregnant in the next 90 days after the vaccination cannot take part. You can enroll at UHS by: Calling or messaging: 0310 4003131 You will then be called for screening at the University. A blood sample will be taken. If found eligible, you will receive either the vaccine or a placebo, as the trial is randomised. After that the researchers will follow up with on a weekly basis till one year. If you exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 such as cough, fever, shortness of breath, loss of smell and taste, you have to agree to be tested. There might also be mild side effects such as pain at the injection site, fever, fatigue or muscle ache, but they should not last longer than a day or two. For first visit, 3,000/- PKR compensation for travel and food expenses shall be provided to each volunteer. For second visit, 5000/- PKR is payable. In case of contracting COVID-19 infection with two weeks of vaccination, the volunteer is entitled to Rs. 30,000/- for medication and food expenses. Note: Please bring your original CNIC and one attested copy for registration.

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What is the Process for the Test Trial?

Once you have signed up, you will be called for the screening. Doctors will require your blood sample to find out if you are eligible or not. In case you are, you will be given a placebo or the vaccine. This is because this trial is randomized.

After this, you will be called in for a follow-up every week for the next 12 months. You have to get tested for COVID-19 if you demonstrate symptoms of the virus such as cough, fever, shortness of breath, loss of smell, and taste. The trial subject might experience mild side effects such as fatigue, muscle ache, fever, and pain on the injection site; however, they should be gone within a day or two. 

Compensation Amount 

• • If the subject contracts COVID-19 infection within two weeks of vaccination, the subject will be entitled to Rs. 30,000 
  • First visit compensation for food and travel expenses Rs. 3,000 
  • Second visit compensation Rs. 5000