A Chinese-made vaccine against the new coronavirus has entered the final stage of testing in Brazil, where volunteers received the first doses of what officials hope will be a game-changer in the global pandemic.
The vaccine, developed by private Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinovac Biotech, became the third in the world to enter phase 3 clinical trials, or large-scale testing on humans — the last step before regulatory approval.
"We're living in unique and historic times, and that's why I wanted to be part of this trial," said the 27-year-old doctor who received the first dose at the Clinical Hospital of Sao Paulo.
Her name was withheld for confidentiality.
Around 9,000 health workers across six Brazilian states will receive the vaccine, known as CoronaVac, in two doses over the next three months under the study.
Sao Paulo governor Joao Doria said on Monday initial results were expected within 90 days.
Sinovac is partnering with a Brazilian public health research centre, the Butantan Institute, on the trials.
If the vaccine proves safe and effective, the institute will have the right to produce 120mn doses under the deal, according to officials.
Brazil is the second-hardest-hit country in the coronavirus pandemic, after the US.
Its death toll surpassed 80,000 Monday, and it has registered 2.1mn infections.
Because the virus is still spreading quickly in the South American country, it is seen as an ideal testing ground for vaccine candidates.
The country is also scrambling to secure supplies of potential vaccines, in case they are proven successful.
Brazil is also helping carry out phase 3 testing of another experimental vaccine, developed by Oxford University and pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca.
It has a similar deal to produce that vaccine domestically if it is successful in tests, which are also being carried out in Britain and South Africa.
Brazilian health regulators announced on Monday they have also authorised Phase 1, 2 and 3 trials of two more vaccines, developed by US firm Pfizer and Germany's BioNTech.
"We are proud to have Brazilian volunteers participating in this global effort, which could play a critical role in the fight against Covid-19," said Edson Moreira, who will lead the Pfizer/BioNTech trial, according to a company statement.
Researchers worldwide are racing to develop and test a vaccine for the virus.
There are more than 150 projects so far.
Studies published on Monday in British medical journal The Lancet found two vaccine candidates were safe and produced an immune response in Phase 2 trials: the Oxford vaccine and another Chinese-made vaccine, developed by pharmaceutical firm CanSino Biologics and the Beijing Institute of Biotechnology.
