Cairo, Egypt: The Middle East country is all set to commence its clinical trials for its novel coronavirus vaccine, called as – Egyvax. The Egyptian Minister of Higher Education & Scientific Research – Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, made the announcement.
He cited the beginning of trials as “a very important development” for the country in its fight against the deadliest COVID-19 pandemic.
He said, “The new vaccine is the fruit of Egypt’s capabilities to produce and adapt vaccines globally, and it also reflects the amount of care given by the political leadership to this issue, by providing material and moral support to Egyptian scientists and researchers, believing in their distinguished scientific and research capabilities.”
“Working on a 100% Egyptian vaccine is unprecedented, and we are cooperating with all national and international agencies to be assured that safety and effectiveness are at the highest level”.
According to Ghaffar, if the manufacturing of the COVID-19 vaccines is done locally, it will assist a country in boosting its economy. He further added, “Transforming scientific research into a product is not an easy matter, but it is taking place according to in-depth studies and full cooperation between the various agencies representing the Egyptian state, and Eva Pharma (healthcare company), as it is one of the major manufacturing entities in the field of pharmaceutical industries in the nation”.
Officials of the Egyptian government stated that the vaccine which is to be manufactured would surely meet the international standards set by the World Health Organization – WHO and the US Food and Drug Administration.
Additionally, around 39.8% of the total Egyptian population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and are hence partially vaccinated, whereas nearly 29.3% of the total population of Egypt has been fully vaccinated by taking their recommended number of the COVID-19 vaccines.
On the other hand, only 1% of Egypt’s total population has received their booster shots till now.