Clinical trials started with BGC vaccine to prevent Covid-19

Minister of Science and Technology followed the work in Rio de Janeiro and inaugurated a campaign laboratory

Covid 19 Vaccine, Representative Photo by Bicanski

Oct 6, Brazil: Clinical trials with BCG vaccine for prevention of Covid-19 began this second -feira (5). The vaccines will be applied to 1,000 health professionals who will be monitored to collect research data. The study will receive an investment of R $ 1 million from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovations (MCTI).

The initiative is from RedeVirus MCTI with resources from the National Scientific and Technological Development Fund for research, made available through the Financier of Studies and Projects (Finep), linked to the ministry.

BCG is applied shortly after birth to prevent severe forms of tuberculosis in children. With the emergence of Covid-19, data were observed from countries that maintain the use of the vaccine and had a lower incidence of the disease compared to countries that suspended the use of universal BCG. It was from there that the hypothesis arose that BCG may be effective in combating coronavirus.

In Rio de Janeiro, to accompany the procedures for the beginning of clinical trials, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovations, Marcos Pontes, said that the arrival of Covid-19 showed the importance of science to fight diseases. "I emphasize the importance of science and unity for us to work together to solve this problem," said Marcos Pontes.

The minister also highlighted the relevance of RedeVirus MCTI in the work against the new coronavirus. “It is important to emphasize the importance of creating the RedeVirus MCTI, in the beginning, in February. These scientists who gave us the guidelines for what to do, what priorities. They set priorities for the production of medicines, in the search for diagnostic tests in Brazil, in the search for vaccines and in the knowledge of the disease and the virus ”, he detailed.

The search

The objective of the trial is to answer whether the vaccine helps both in preventing infection and in the occurrence of severe forms of Covid-19. With the support of RedeVirus MCTI, inputs were purchased for the execution of clinical and laboratory routines and computer equipment for data recording and analysis, in addition to the composition and training of the team to carry out the studies.

Participating in the action are the Pedro Ernesto Hospital of the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), the University Hospital Clementino Fraga Filho (HUCFF), of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), and the Municipal Hospital of Barueri Dr. Francisco Moran (SP).

Marcos Pontes said-

Today in the country, we have a much faster knowledge of this disease thanks to the efforts of our researchers, the efforts of many people together, universities, the exchange of knowledge

Campaign laboratory opened

In Rio de Janeiro, Minister Marcos Pontes also inaugurated the field laboratory facilities for diagnostic tests on the campus of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) to expand the capacity to perform diagnostic tests at Covid-19.

With the structure completely renovated, the laboratory has the capacity to carry out 300 molecular tests, of the PCR type, per day. Although it is focused on molecular tests, the laboratory can also perform serological and antigenic tests.

Through RedeVirus MCTI in the MCTI Campaign Laboratories initiative, investments of R $ 35 million are made available so that the country can carry out 100 thousand more tests per month. In all, 13 laboratories are part of the action.