Cuban vaccine candidate Abdala demonstrated safety and no serious adverse effects

HAVANA, Cuba, Apr 5 (ACN) Doctor of Science Miladys Limonta, manager of the COVID-19 vaccine candidates project of the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), stressed today in Havana that so far Abdala has demonstrated safety and no serious adverse effects have been reported.

In the presentation broadcast by Cuban TV to update on the vaccination process in Cuba during the ongoing clinical trials, the specialist clarified that the volunteers who entered the study should take care of the SARS-CoV-2 virus by maintaining biosecurity measures, the use of mask, physical distancing and frequent hand washing.

The manager of the COVID-19 vaccines project of the CIGB said that the phase III clinical trial with Abdala was carried out in Santiago de Cuba, Bayamo and Guantanamo in only 10 days and included 48, 000 citizens, and of them 12 people tested positive for the coronavirus after their immunization.

The expert explained that the immunogen includes three doses: zero, 14 and 28 days, and insisted those who are vaccinated to continue complying with the established measures.

She also pointed out the neutralizing nature of the Abdala vaccine candidate, which does not allow the severity of the COVID-19 to be reached, and, like the hepatitis B vaccine, it can be reactivated.

Limonta announced that CIGB scientists are working to present to the regulatory authorities the protocols for using Abdala in 5- to 19-year-old children.

On the other hand, she commented that people with comorbidities such as diabetes, arterial hypertension, among others, who are not controlled are not included in the clinical trial, nor are those who have infections and are receiving antibiotics.