Thailand’s coronavirus vaccine trial is making progress after macaque monkeys, which were given the first doses of the candidate vaccine, have shown a satisfactory immune response, according to Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovations Minister Suvit Mesinsee on Monday.

He said that doses of the mRNA candidate vaccine were administered to the monkeys on May 23^rd by researchers at the National Primate Research Centre in Saraburi province. It was discovered that all the animals remained in good health and have developed satisfactory immune responses to the virus.

The second doses were injected today, into the same monkeys and, if the results are also satisfactory, the Minister said that the next step would be human trials, in either October or November, to prove safety and efficacy.

Dr. Siriruek Songsivilai, secretary-general of the Nation Research Committee, and Dr. Nakorn Premsri, director of National Vaccine Institute, have been assigned by Mr. Suvit to monitor, examine and advise the research team at the National Primate Research Centre.

The Minister said that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha attaches importance to the development of a coronavirus vaccine in Thailand and cooperation with foreign governments in the development and production of a vaccine to fight COVID-19.