Moving forward safely

The government must consider ethical guidelines and protocols before granting approval for Covid-19 vaccine trials.

As Covid-19 vaccine trials start in several countries, Nepal has also decided to allow foreign companies to conduct Phase III clinical trials. The Ministry of Health and Population has directed the Nepal Health Research Council to grant permission to the companies that fulfil mandatory procedures for the trial. This has paved the way for Hongshi Shivam Cement which has sought permission to inoculate its 1,000 employees as part of the Phase III clinical trials of a Chinese vaccine.