Sask. lab says its COVID-19 vaccine candidate has been found safe, issues open call for volunteers to receive it
The COVID-19 vaccine developed by the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) at the University of Saskatchewan is safe, the lab announced Wednesday.
The most common reactions from the Phase 1 clinical trial for the vaccine, named COVAC-2, were a headache and mild injection site pain, which VIDO says are common after most immunizations.
In addition, even the lowest vaccine dose significantly increased the participants’ antibody levels, including neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, VIDO says.
“The data continues to demonstrate the safety of our subunit vaccine COVAC-2,” Dr. Volker Gerdts, director and CEO of VIDO, said in a news release.
“We are encouraged by the vaccine’s ability to generate a significant immune response, even at the lowest dose tested.”
Subunit vaccines such as COVAC-2 contain purified viral proteins that are not infectious and the technology offers a history of safety and ease of storage and transport, VIDO says.
Participants continue to be recruited for the clinical trial in Halifax and a new clinical trial site will also open in Saskatoon later this summer.
Those 18 years and older who have not been infected with COVID-19 or received an authorized COVID-19 vaccine are eligible to volunteer.
They can contact the Clinical Trial Support Unit at ctsu@usask.ca or 306-978-8300.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING 'Just wait': Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city amid multiple reports
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.