Vaccine: Thailand tests macaques

Saraburi, Thailand, May 25: Thailand is conducting tests on macaque monkeys as it races to produce a cheaper, alternative Covid-19 vaccine it hopes will be ready by 2021, a top researcher said Monday. More than 100 vaccines are in various stages of development around the world, at least eight of which are in clinical trials with humans, according to the World Health Organisation. Oxford University researchers are considered the frontrunners, starting trials on a version based on a different virus that causes infections in chimpanzees.

Dr. Suchinda Malaivitjitnond, director of the National Primate Research Center of Thailand who oversaw Saturday’s injections to 13 monkeys, said she hoped a “Made in Thailand” vaccine would be cheaper than a European or American drug.

If the tests on macaques go well, human trials should start in October, said Dr Kiat Ruxrungtham, chair of the Chula Vaccine Research Center at Chulalongkorn University. Dr Kiat said, “Our dream is that low- and middle-income countries should not stay a buyer for our whole lives.”