The Peruvian government has suspended its Sinopharm vaccine trials after one participant experienced neurological problems.
The Peruvian government has suspended its Sinopharm vaccine trials involving 12,000 subjects after one participant experienced neurological problems.
Peruvian minister of health Pilar Mazzetti said that the decision of the National Institute of Health (INS) said that they will investigate the incident while the trial is on hold.
“Several days ago we signaled, as we are required, to the regulatory authorities that one of our participants (in trials) presented neurological symptoms which could correspond to a condition called Guillain-Barre syndrome,” said Cayetano Heredia University chief researcher German Malaga, who oversees the trials.
Malaga said that the participant had experienced decreased strength in his legs among other symptoms.
“We are concerned about the situation, and we are providing all of our help and support to ensure that it is cleared up,” said Malaga who also believed that the problems did not come from the vaccine.
The first stage of the trials is due to be completed in the next few days but the Peruvian government has not stated whether they would buy the vaccine if the trials are successful.
At least 36,544 people have died so far in Peru since the COVID-19 pandemic began.