MONROVIA, February 23 (LINA) –In addition to the 600 people targeted in phase two of the clinical trials of two vaccines to prevent Ebola, a total of 120 persons are on the stand-by, an official of the trial team has said.

 
Co-investigator on the Liberia-U.S. Clinical Research Partnership team, Stephen Kennedy, said this signifies that the team of experts supervising the process have done exceptionally well since the launch of the trial.
 
He made the statement at the Ministry of Information daily Ebola press conference held at the ministry in Monrovia on Monday.
 
Giving details, Kennedy disclosed that 108 persons were vaccinated during the first week, while 96 others took the vaccine the second week. He added that 120 persons were vaccinated during the third week, bringing to 324 the number of people vaccinated as at February 2.
 
He said the balance 276 persons to complete the projected 600 have completed the ‘informed and consent’ process and have been schedule for vaccination, while an additional 120 persons are on the stand-by.
 
Meanwhile, Kennedy has described as false and misleading reports that people are being paid to get involved in the vaccine trial process.
 
He explained that in accordance with international best practice, people involved in vaccine trial are given “reimbursement for transportation and/or inconveniences,” something, he said, that is also being practiced in the ongoing vaccine trials in Liberia.
LINA