Cuba encouraged early efficacy results for domestic COVID-19 vaccineاح
A nurse shows a dose of Soberana-02 COVID-19 vaccine to a volunteer as part of phase 3 trials of an experimental Cuban vaccine, amid concerns about the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Havana, Cuba, March 31, 2021. Jorge Luis Banos/Paul via Reuters
HAVANA (Reuters) – The Cuban candidate for the Soberana 2 vaccine has shown 62% efficacy with just two of three doses, state-run biopharmaceutical company BioCubaFarma said on Saturday, citing preliminary data from late-stage trials.
Cuba from them Biotechnology sector It has been exporting vaccines for decades and has five candidate vaccines in clinical trials, two of which – Soberana 2 and Abdullah – are in advanced stages.
“Within a few weeks, we should have effective results with three doses that we expect will be even better,” said Vicente Ferrez, director of the state-run Finlay Vaccine Institute, which developed Sopirana 2:
The news comes as the Caribbean’s largest island faces its worst outbreak since the start of the pandemic after more infectious variants arrived, setting new records for daily coronavirus cases.
The communist-led country chose not to import foreign vaccines, but to rely on itself. Experts say it’s a risky gamble, but if it pays off, Cuba could improve its scientific reputation, generate much-needed hard currency through exports, and boost a global vaccination campaign.
“We know that our government has not been able to provide all the necessary funding for this project, but this is the result of its global reputation,” said President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who presented the results on state television.
Several countries, from Argentina and Jamaica to Mexico and Venezuela, have expressed interest in purchasing Cuban vaccines. Iran started production of Soberana 2 earlier this year as part of its final phase of clinical trials.
Cuban authorities started giving experimental vaccines a lot of As part of the “intervention studies” they hope to slow the spread of the virus.
Daily cases are cut in half In the capital since the start of this vaccination campaign, according to official data, although it may also be due to stricter lockdown measures.
(Covered by Annette Rios) By Sarah Marsh; Editing by David Gregorio
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