Research results confirm safety of QAZVAC: Ministry of Healthcare of Kazakhstan

Reports of the phase I-II and the interim report of phase III of clinical trials on QAZVAC confirm its safety.

Based on the reports provided, in accordance with the rules of temporary state registration of vaccines against COVID-19, approved by the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the vaccine is allowed for medical use. The temporary registration of QAZVAC certificate was issued on December 31, 2020.

The third stage of testing of the vaccine has already passed the mark of 50% of the subjects of the study, provided for by the protocol, and its completion is scheduled for June 25, 2021. This will be followed by a full assessment of the QAZVAC’s effectiveness.

In connection with the current epidemic situation, decisions on the accelerated admission of vaccines against coronavirus infection to medical use are made in many regulatory bodies around the world. Vaccination is still the most effective way to control the spread of the disease and a reliable method of forming herd immunity. At the same time, despite the short terms of admission of vaccines to use, their quality and safety checks are carried out and in compliance with all requirements.

It should be emphasized that the temporary registration of a vaccine can be suspended or cancelled in cases of detection of adverse reactions, receipt of data on an unfavourable benefit-risk ratio or the presence of an effective court decision on the violation of the exclusive rights of third parties.

Vaccination against COVID-19 in Kazakhstan is voluntary, and the vaccinated person has the right to choose the vaccine with which he wishes to be vaccinated from those that are available at the moment.

The QAZVAC vaccine is an inactivated vaccine against COVID-19, developed by the Scientific Research Institute of Biological Safety of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan. According to preliminary data, its efficiency is above 90%.

On December 31, 2020, based on the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan No.850 from December 15, 2020 “On approval of the Rules for temporary state registration of vaccines against coronavirus COVID-19 produced in the Republic of Kazakhstan”, the vaccine received a temporary registration certificate РК-БП-№1 dated December 31. 2020 for a period until September 30, 2021.

Vaccine is injected via intramuscular (IM) inoculation in 2 stages, the interval between the injections are 21 days. At the vaccination point, first, an examination is carried out, a questionnaire is filled out and a written consent to vaccination is given.

Vaccination is recommended for persons over the age of 18. The efficacy and safety for children under 18 has not been studied.

50 thousand doses of QAZVAC vaccine have already been distributed to the regions: Nur-Sultan and Almaty each received 6000 doses, Shymkent, Karaganda, Eastern Kazakhstan and Almaty regions received 4000 doses, other regions received 2000 doses. Another 50,000 doses are expected to be released in May. In the future, the production of the drug will be gradually increased to 500 thousand doses per month.