Volunteer recruitment has begun for trials of Mexico’s first COVID-19 vaccine candidate.
The Patria vaccine was developed by the Mexican drug manufacturer Avimex in conjunction with several state-run laboratories and Mexico’s national university.
“Volunteers will be inoculated with the vaccine in the next few days, we expect to see the first batch of preliminary results towards the end of May,” said Mairía Elene Álvaerez of Mexico’s National Science and Technology Council.
The Patria vaccine could begin to be administered by the end of the year, state health officials said.
Earlier: COVID-19 vaccines for residents in their 50s to begin as early as May
The Patria vaccine works by carrying a specialized gene through a vector. Cells then begin to reproduce “S proteins.” This alerts the body’s immune system to produce antibodies against COVID-19.
It is unclear if the vaccine will require a double dose — such as the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines — or a single dose like the CanSino drug from China.
Five different vaccines have been approved by Mexican health authorities for use in humans. They are the Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Sinovac, CanSino, and Sputnik V vaccines.
Cuba is set to become the first Latin American country to produce a viable COVID-19 vaccine. Its Soberana vaccine has now entered the final testing stages and authorities say that it should be ready for human use before the start of summer.
