How much does first Made-in Vietnam COVID-19 vaccine cost?
VOV.VN - Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC is the first to announce the price of its COVID-19 vaccine, Nano Covax, with each dose costing approximately VND120,000 (US$52).
Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC and the Military Medical Academy under the Ministry of Health are recruiting volunteers for the first human clinical trials of Nanogen-produced Nano Covax slated for December 17.
Nanogen is one of the four COVID-19 vaccine producers in Vietnam, alongside Vabiotech, Ivac and Polyvac. A matter of common concern these days is how much a locally-made vaccine against COVID-19 costs.
Addressing a ceremony for volunteer recruitment on December 10, Dr Do Minh Si, Nanogen R&D director, revealed each dose of its Nano Covax costs approximately VND120,000.
According to experts, each person needs two shots of coronavirus vaccines to create immunity, therefore such a two-dose regimen totals VND240,000.
Volunteers will get one shot first, and then they are supposed to get another one a few weeks later.
Currently Nanogen is capable of producing 10-20 million doses a year and it is expected to raise its capacity to 50-70 million doses a year to meet the domestic demand and then for export, Dr. Si.
Nano Covax, a recombinant vaccine, is developed by Nanogen on an order from the Ministry of Science and Technology. It took the company six months to research and develop the vaccine with support and assistance from the Military Medical Academy and other testing institutes.
This vaccine has been tested on mice, hamsters and monkeys showing a good immune response. It has been approved by the Ministry of Health for human clinical trials.
If human trials are safe and effective, the vaccine will be commercially marketed in mid 2021.
