Health

Thailand aims to start COVID-19 vaccine human trials in October

Researchers are now gearing up for human clinical trials in October, with production starting in mid-2021, after a trial of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate in monkeys was successful

Published

3 months ago

June 23, 2020

National News Bureau of Thailand

BANGKOK (NNT) – A trial of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate in monkeys has been successful, with the subjects showing higher immune responses. Researchers are now gearing up for human clinical trials in October, with production starting in mid-2021.

A study of a COVID-19 vaccine prototype in monkeys, performed by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) and Chulalongkorn University’s National Primate Research Center of Thailand, has been successful, according to the NRCT.

This experimental mRNA vaccine had first been successfully tested in rats, while the tests in monkeys started on 23 May.

The Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Suvit Maesincee, said all the monkeys that received the vaccine show no negative side effects, while their blood tests show a satisfactory level of the antibody triggered by the vaccine.

The monkeys, at the National Primate Research Center, have been injected with the vaccine once. Researchers will today administer the second dose for further study. Should all go well, the clinical trial of this vaccine candidate in humans can begin in October and November this year.

The NRCT Secretary General Dr. Sirirurg Songsivilai said the monkeys will be tested periodically for their immune responses after receiving the second dose of vaccine, with their antibody level expected to increase over the next two weeks, while the third dose will be administered in August.

He said this research project is now progressing on track, with the target to start producing a viable COVID-19 vaccine in Thailand in mid-2021.

The National Primate Research Center Director Suchinda Malaivijitnond said the experimental vaccine has shown no negative side effects in recipient monkeys with no fever, or symptoms in the neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory or digestive systems.

The monkeys are showing normal behaviour, which is a good sign that this vaccine prototype would be safe for use in humans.

She said the project shows the world-class capabilities of vaccine researchers and development projects in Thailand.

Health

COVID-19 situation in Thailand as of 27 September 2020

Published

3 days ago

September 28, 2020

Tourism Authority Thailand

On the WHO website you can find information and guidance from WHO Thailand regarding the outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that was first reported from Wuhan, China. Please visit this page for regular updates as the situation evolves.

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Health

Thailand discovers first case of local infection in 100 days

Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health said that it has discovered a locally transmitted case of Covid-19 after more than 100 days with zero cases within the country.

Published

4 weeks ago

September 3, 2020

Boris Sullivan

A 37-year-old inmate at Bangkok’s Khlong Prem Prison has been tested positive for the coronavirus as the Kingdom’s just passed the 100 days milestone without local infections.

(more…)

Health

Thailand logs three months without domestic cases

According to the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), Thailand has recorded zero new locally-contracted cases for 91 days, as all new cases were imported from other countries.