Minister of Planning and Development Asad Umar announced on Tuesday that the phase three trials for a coronavirus vaccine in Pakistan has been launched.

In a tweet today, the minister said that phase three trials for the vaccine developed by a Chinese company, China’s CanSino Biologics has been launched. He further said a total of 40,000 people will participate in this trial in 7 countries.

Out of these 40,000 people, 8000 to 10000 will be Pakistanis, Umar said. "Initial results expected in 4 to 6 months," the minister added.

Addressing a presser today, the National Institute of Health Executive Director Major General Aamer Ikram said that the CanSino vaccine is based on recombinant technology. He said the vaccine will be administered to the volunteers after a medical examination.

He said although the NIH would follow up with them for 12 months, the results of the vaccine would be expected in three months.