Havana, April 27 (RHC)-- Researchers at Cuba's Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) are advancing in the final phase of the design of clinical studies in pediatric populations with the anti-Covid-19 vaccine candidate, Abdala.

At this moment, we are in the final phase of the design of clinical studies in pediatric populations, explained  Dr. Verena Muzio, Director of Clinical Research at CIGB, the leading institution of this vaccine project.

Subsequently, they must be submitted for evaluation and authorization by the regulatory entities to begin these trials in the not too distant future, the specialist pointed out, adding that studies in pediatric age groups are an important element in any vaccine evaluation.

This week Abdala will conclude phase III clinical trials with the administration of the third dose to all adult volunteers from Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo, and Granma provinces.

At the same time, intervention studies are progressing in risk groups, among them health personnel and the BioCubaFarma business group, in several provinces of the country.

The CIGB is also developing the anti-Covid-19 candidate Mambisa, the only nasal candidate proposal, which concluded Phase I clinical trials in 88 volunteers in Havana.

Soberana 01, Soberana 02, and Soberana PLUS, from the Finlay Vaccine Institute (IFV), are the other proposals of this Caribbean nation for confronting the Covid-19 pandemic.

Precisely with Soberana 01 and Soberana 02, the immunization of the pediatric population, between five and 18 years of age, could begin soon, after the authorization from the country's drug regulatory agency.