Agence France-PresseFeb 18, 2021 12:45:19 IST
A voluntary study into the coronavirus begins in Britain within a month of receiving approval from the country ‘s clinical ethics agency, the government said on Wednesday. The study, the first of its kind in the world, will expose up to 90 volunteers between the ages of 18 and 30 to COVID-19 in a controlled environment, the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology said. Business Strategy. The lawsuit will try to find out the minimum amount of virus needed to cause an infection, to help develop vaccines and treatments.
“While there has been very positive progress in vaccine development, we want to find the best and most effective vaccines for their long-term use,” said Industry Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng.
The study will help “accelerate scientists’ knowledge of how coronavirus affects humans and ultimately promote the rapid development of vaccines,” he said.
Britain, one of the most severe countries in the world with the coronavirus with more than 118,000 deaths, was also the first country in the West to launch the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. The country passed a vaccination milestone at the weekend with 15 million people receiving their first injection. The government is targeting another 17 million people by the end of April, including everyone aged 50 and over, as well as starting second doses.
The study, backed by £ 33.6 million ($ 46.6 million, 38.6 million euros) in government funding, will work in partnership with London Free Hospital.
Its secure clinical research facilities are specifically designed to contain the virus, the government said.
Once the first phase of the study is complete, small numbers of volunteers who are then exposed to the COVID virus may be given vaccines that have been proven safe in clinical trials. -19, helping to identify the most effective vaccines.
“Our ultimate goal is to determine which vaccines and treatments work best in combating this disease, but we need volunteers to support us in this work. , “said chief investigator Chris Chiu of Imperial College London.
During the study, physicians and scientists will be present 24 hours a day to ensure the safety of volunteers as well as monitor the effects of the virus.