The first human vaccination procedure against the novel coronavirus was conducted by Kazakh scientists of the International Center for Vaccinology at the Kazakh National Agrarian University. Director of the center Kaisar Tabynov was the first to receive the vaccination. He was injected with already known drug called COVAX-19 developed in Australia.

The company in Australia is currently conducting the first phase of clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccine on 40 volunteers. The intermediate test results are showing promising signs. “In three months, it is planned to enter Phase Two and Phase Three of a global clinical trial, where already 30 to 100 volunteers from 10 countries will take part. I hope that our country will join this process, and thereby will secure its priority access and the low-cost of the subunit vaccine,” Tabynov said.

He did not have any side effects. Before getting vaccinated, Tabynov underwent a thorough health examination. “After an in-depth screening of my health, including blood chemistry and hematology, PCR-based and ELISA-based COVID-19 testing, HIV testing, hepatitis B and C, general allergen-specific antibodies IgE and so on, and after obtaining a doctor’s opinion, I got vaccinated with COVAX-19. So far, I am feeling well with no significant undesirable symptoms detected,” Tabynov said.

Tabynov said that there were several reasons why the experts decided to do this experiment. First, it was necessary to make sure of the safety and immunogenicity of the partners’ vaccine, because it is the vaccine scientists recommend using for Kazakh residents. The second is to assess the potential of the Advax-CpG adjuvant in the COVAX-19 vaccine. The scientists shared that they are currently developing a new method of specific immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma. 

Source of information: https://kazakh-tv.kz/en/view/health/page_215345_kazakh-scientist-tests-covid19-vaccine-on-himself