A clinical trial aimed at the pediatric population and another one for convalescents are among the new researches with the anti-COVID-19 vaccine candidates Abdala and Mambisa, two of the five developed by Cuban scientists.
Havana, Cuba.- Designed by the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), the study is aimed at children and young people from three to 18 years of age. It will bear the name of Ismaelillo (1882), inspired by the poem dedicated to his son by the Cuban intellectual and independence hero José Martí.
The pediatric research will take place in the easternmost central province of Camagüey, after three months of the start of phase III of the clinical trial with that injectable to more than 48,000 volunteers and its administration in territories and groups at risk due to the deterioration of the epidemiological situation associated with COVID-19.
Pending approval by the regulatory authority, phase I/II with the Abdala vaccine candidate in this population group will be randomized and in parallel groups to evaluate its safety and immunogenicity, its creators explained.
There will be three applications at an interval of 0, 14, and 28 days, but with a lower dose, this time of 25 micrograms, they specified.
The scientific institution will also evaluate convalescents of the disease in its second anti-COVID-19 proposal, designed for nasal administration.
"Mambisa," as this formulation is called, will be tested in Phase I/II in four groups of 30 volunteers, three of whom will receive the nasal product and the other will be given the Abdala injectable.
CUBA REPORTS 1481 NEW COVID-19 INFECTIONS AND NINE DEATHS
Cuban health authorities reported on Friday 1481 new infections of COVID-19 and nine deaths associated with the disease caused by the SARS-Cov-2 virus.
During his televised briefing on Friday, the National Director of Epidemiology, Dr. Francisco Durán, called attention to the fact that of the nine fatalities, many are younger adults, in a demonstration of the lethal impact of the variants circulating in the country.
The surge continues on the national territory with 19,329 people infected over the last two weeks, and 96 % resulting from the autochthonous spread.
The island accumulated 164 896 people diagnosed with the disease and 1132 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic in March last year.
Havana reported 328 infections, continuing with its decreasing trend in the month. Camagüey had 185, Santiago de Cuba 168, and Matanzas 155 cases.
7 748 positive cases admitted in the hospitals, a record high for the third day in a row.
In terms of the nationwide vaccination drive, 4 328 291 shots have been administered, and 793 126 people have been fully vaccinated with the Cuban vaccine candidates. 36 of every 100 inhabitants have received at least one dose. (RHC)
