China announced that they have started its first phase of the clinical trial for a COVID-19 vaccine. Currently no approved vaccines or medication for the new disease, which has killed more than 13,000 people worldwide so far. Scientists around the world race to find a solution against the deadly pathogen.

The Chinese effort began on the 16th of March, the same day of which the United States health officials said that they have started a trial to evaluate a possible vaccine in Seattle.
According to the filing in China’s Clinical Trial Registry, clinical trials for the vaccine are expected to be carried out until the end of the year.
A staff member from the government-funded project told AFP yesterday (22nd March 2020) that “Volunteers of the COVID-19 phase one trial have already started receiving the vaccine”.
A total of 108 participants between the ages of 18-60 will be tested in three groups and be given different dosages of the vaccine. All participants are residents of Wuhan City, where the Coronavirus first originated.

As the COVID-19 pandemic rages and governments step up protection measures, pharmaceutical companies and research labs around the world are working at full force.