Cuba has advanced to phase three trials of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines, which it is developing.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), which made the announcement, reports that Cuban vaccine manufacturers commenced phase three trial activities two weeks ago. This included pilot vaccinations involving volunteers, which usually precedes World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification for wide scale distribution or emergency use.

The phase three trial timeline for the vaccine is guided by the rate of COVID-19 transmission and extent of testing. Cuba has four vaccines currently at various stages of clinical trials, including two in the final phase three.

Cuban vaccines in the final stages of trial

They are Soberana 2 and Abdala. If either receives final authorisation, it will be the first COVID-19 vaccine developed and produced in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Earlier this month 100,000 doses of Soberana 2 were sent to Iran for testing and 30,000 doses of Soberana 2 and Abdala will be sent to Venezuela next month. Speaking during a recent COVID-19 digital briefing, PAHO’s Assistant Director, Dr Jarbas Barbosa said PAHO is facilitating communication between the manufacturers in Cuba and the WHO on developments relating to the prequalification arrangements.

He advised that the manufacturers are aware of the criteria they must fulfil to secure WHO prequalification. According to the PAHO Assistant Director, “When they finish phase three clinical trial engagements, based on the results they will have about the vaccine’s security and efficacy; they can apply to receive prequalification or emergency use listing.”

Thereafter, the vaccine will be considered for procurement by PAHO’s Revolving Fund on behalf of the WHO’s COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) Facility. The search for a COVID-19 vaccine in Cuba begun in April 2020 and has quickly became a source of national pride in the communist Caribbean republic.

Cuba begins inoculation efforts with homegrown vaccine

Yesterday (Monday March 29), Cuba began its vaccination campaign, giving does of their homegrown shots to more than 150,000 frontline workers. Cuba is hoping for a full roll in June, but will rely on intervention studies before then to start immunizing its population of 11.2 million.

Almost all 2.1 million residents of the capital Havana are due to receive their vaccine by May with six million people vaccinated by early August. While most of the world has been reliant on a few vaccine producers, Cuba has created their own that has shown promise and has advanced through 3 stages of clinical trials.

The country says that it will eventually sell or donate their vaccines to other nations and will comply with all international regulations.