Bahraini Crown Prince participates in Phase 3 clinical trial for Covid-19 vaccine

Sheikh Salman bin Hamad joins 6,000 other volunteers in the trial

Bahrain's Crown Prince, Sheikh Salman bin Hamad, participates in the Phase 3 clinical trial for a potential Covid-19 vaccine. Courtesy: MOH_Bahrain/Twitter

Bahrain Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad is participating in the country’s Phase 3 clinical trial for a potential Covid-19 vaccine.

In an image circulated on Twitter, Sheikh Salman was pictured wearing a face mask that read “we race as one,” while receiving an injection from a medical professional.

Bahrain began its Phase 3 clinical trials for the Sinopharm vaccine developed by China about three weeks ago. The Health Ministry said at least 6,000 volunteers are involved in the trial being conducted at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Covid-19 in the Middle East 

A Saudi citizen travelling to Bahrain takes a swab test at an immigration checkpoint on the King Fahd Causeway that reopened after coronavirus restrictions were eased. Reuters

An immigration officer assists an American national in a car as he arrives at a medical checkpoint while crossing from Saudi Arabia into Bahrain. Reuters

A medical inspector hands documents back to a motorist before entering Bahrain. Reuters

A woman wearing a mask takes a young boy on a stroll along Al Bateen Street on a humid Tuesday in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Residents wearing face masks cross Zayed The First Street in central Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

The new air-conditioned bus stops with Covid-19 restrictions in place along the Corniche, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Children cross an empty street amid the lockdown imposed to limit the spread of the pandemic in Gaza City. AFP

Iraqi men rebury a relative who was laid to rest in a cemetery dedicated to those who died of Covid-19 at the 'Valley of Peace' cemetery, in the city of Najaf, Iraq. Reuters

A man cuts a portion of a sweet at his confectionery shop in a market in Najaf amid the coronavirus pandemic. AFP

An Egyptian woman wearing a protective face mask sprays antiseptic, amid the coronavirus pandemic in Cairo, Egypt. Reuters

Egyptian women wearing protective face masks wait to ride a bus in Cairo, Egypt. Reuters

Tunisian pupils stand with their parents as they listen to announcement outside a primary school in the Ariane region near Tunis. AFP

Tunisian pupils arrive at primary school in the Ariane region near Tunis. AFP

Turkey's health workers and doctors wearing personal protective equipment protest against government's policy in front of Istanbul University medical faculty. AFP

Turkish doctors hold placards reading 'you cannot manage, we are exhausted, we die' during a protest against the government in front of the Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, in Istanbul. EPA

Medical staff protest for higher pay and better working conditions in Rabat, Morocco. Reuters

The ministry said the vaccine trials were part of “ongoing efforts to contain the novel coronavirus pandemic and limit its spread through stepping up all precautionary and preventive measures to protect the health and safety of everyone”.

The inactivated Sinopharm vaccine being tested in Bahrain is the one that was recently granted emergency approval for use among UAE frontline health workers.

UAE Health Minister, Abdulrahman Al Owais, said the under-trial vaccine could be used in "cases of emergency" after extensive tests involving 31,000 volunteers had shown the vaccine to be safe.

Bahrain reported 678 new cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday, with 627 additional recoveries. The country's caseload stands at 61,643 with 54,831 recoveries and 213 deaths.

On Tuesday, Bahrain announced the reopening of the King Fahd causeway for all travellers, but they will be required to take a coronavirus test before entering the country.

Covid-19 test stations were set up along the causeway for travellers to take a virus test, priced at 60 Bhd (Dh584), on their way into the country. They will be expected to download the "BeAware Bahrain" app and self-isolate until a negative test result is returned.

Travellers also have the option of taking a Covid-19 test 72 hours before departure and presenting a negative test at the border.