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
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.