Health Ministry to start clinical trial of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 and cholera

KATHMANDU: SEPT. 3 – The Ministry of Health and Population is to start a clinical trial of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 and cholera. Nepal Health Research Council is set to initiate the clinical trial of mRNA and cholera vaccines against the two diseases.

A meeting of the Council of Ministers, on August 26, decided to give permission for the clinical trial of vaccines against these diseases.

Executive Director at the Council, Dr Pradeep Gyawali said the trial of both vaccines would be started in two weeks.

According to him, the clinical trial of the mRNA vaccine would be conducted at the Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS) and that of the cholera vaccine at Dhulikhel Hospital, Kanti Children’s Hospital and Nepalgunj medical College Nepalgunj as well as BPKIHS, in collaboration with Deurali Janata Pharmaceuticals.

The third phase of a clinical trial is being started in Nepal after the successful trial of the mRNA first and the second phase by the vaccine producing company.

Dr Gyawali shared that the mRNA vaccine against coronavirus infection produced by the Wallace Company of China is to be trialled in Nepal.

It is said the Company will carry out the trial on 28 thousand people and on 3,000 people in Nepal. Accordingly, the third clinical trial would be conducted in BPKIHS, Dharan.

-RSS