1,500 Filipinos join China's COVID-19 vaccine trial in UAE

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 9) — Some 1,500 Filipinos took part in a phase III trial for a COVID-19 vaccine led by China in the United Arab Emirates, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said in a statement on Tuesday.

The envoy said the Filipinos were among 30,000 participants for SinoPharm, a subsidiary of Chinese vaccine producer China National Pharmaceutical Group, which is currently developing two vaccines, of which one is undergoing phase III trial, the last phase that involves tests on a large number of people before being approved for commercial use.

Huang said the vaccine tests have been showing promising results so far, adding that it could be in the market by the end of December. The group started trials in the UAE on June 23 and led other research in Russia, the UK, the US and Austria, among others, he added.

Chinese President Xi Jinping had earlier promised that the Philippines will be prioritized once China's vaccine is available. The Health Department earlier said it was eyeing five hospitals to join another trial under Sinovac Biotech.