Hosting the conversation

Middle East Experience

Latest News
04 Sep 2020
News Permalink

Coronavirus: Russian COVID-19 vaccine passes its early trial tests, says Lancet

September 4, 2020

Patients involved in early tests of a Russian coronavirus vaccine developed antibodies with “no serious adverse events”, according to research published in The Lancet Friday, but experts said the trials were too small to prove safety and effectiveness.Russia announced last month that its vaccine, named “Sputnik V” after the Soviet-era satellite that was the first launched into space in 1957, had already received approval.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.This raised concerns among Western scientists over a lack of safety data, with some warning that moving too quickly on a vaccine could be dangerous.Russia denounced criticism as an attempt to undermine Moscow's research.In the Lancet study, Russian researchers reported on two small trials, each involving 38 healthy adults aged between 18 and 60, who were given a two-part immunization.Each participant was given a dose of the first part of the vaccine and then given a booster with the second part 21 days later.They were monitored over 42 days and all developed antibodies within the first three weeks.The report said the data showed that the vaccine was “safe, well tolerated, and does not cause serious adverse events in healthy adult volunteers.”Placebo, larger trials needed, say expertsThe trials were open label and not randomized, meaning there was no placebo and the participants knew they were receiving the vaccine and were not randomly assigned to different treatment groups.Researchers underlined that larger and longer trials - including a placebo comparison - would be needed to establish the long-term safety and effectiveness of the vaccine for preventing Covid-19 infection.“Showing safety will be crucial with Covid-19 vaccines, not only for vaccine acceptance but also for trust in vaccination broadly,” Naor Bar-Zeev of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health wrote in a commentary in the Lancet.The report said the 76 participants of these trials would be monitored up to 180 days, adding that a more rigorous phase 3 clinical trial was planned with the involvement of 40,000 volunteers “from different age and risk groups.”Read more:Coronavirus: Russia approves COVID-19 vaccine, first in the world, Putin saysCoronavirus: Russia COVID-19 vaccine draws skepticism as nations renew virus battleRussia readies for approval of second COVID-19 vaccine, says officialCoronavirus: Everything you need to know about TYME-19, a new COVID-19 treatment
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Russian COVID-19 vaccine passes its early trial tests, says Lancet

04 Sep 2020
News Permalink

Coronavirus: Entering Abu Dhabi requires either COVID-19 PCR or laser test, not both

September 4, 2020

Entering Abu Dhabi starting Saturday, September 5 requires either a negative COVID-19 PCR test result or a negative DPI laser test result, not both, the emirate’s media office announced on Friday.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.Results will be accepted given the test was taken within 48 hours of entry into the UAE’s capital emirate. Authorities updated the requirements on Friday after having previously required a PCR test be taken prior to getting a DPI laser test in order to use the result for entry at the border.The updated procedures are a part of the “efforts to expand testing and further strengthen preventative measures for early detection of COVID-19 infections,” according to Abu Dhabi Media Office.Residents and visitors who enter and stay in the capital for six consecutive days or more will be required to take a PCR test on the sixth day of each visit, the statement also said.Abu Dhabi first shut its land border to other emirates on June 2 in an effort to further control the spread of the virus. In July, authorities allowed entry under strict restrictions given individuals showed negative test results in order to be granted entry.The Rapid laser DPI test at the border requires booking an appointment ahead of time, however, four other testing facilities were set up across the UAE including two in Dubai, one in Fujairah and one in Ras al-Khaimah.Unlike the results of the PCR swab test offered in clinics and hospitals around the country, which take a minimum of 24 hours to come out, the rapid laser test produces results within five minutes.People are urged to make an appointment for the laser tests through the SEHA app or via the Ghantoot website.Read more:UAE bans movement in, out of Abu Dhabi as lockdown tightenedAbu Dhabi allows entry with new rules amid coronavirus lockdown: All you need to knowAbu Dhabi border run eased by four new COVID-19 laser testing centers
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Entering Abu Dhabi requires either COVID-19 PCR or laser test, not both