Peru halts Sinopharm coronavirus vaccine trials after volunteer develops neurological problems
- The National Institute of Health suspended the trial of a shot made by the Chinese firm after a volunteer had difficulty moving their arms
- Peru’s trials for the vaccine were due to conclude this week, after testing around 12,000 people
The National Institute of Health said on Friday that it had decided to interrupt the trial after a volunteer had difficulty moving their arms, according to local media.
“Several days ago we signalled, as we are required, to the regulatory authorities that one of our participants (in trials) presented neurological symptoms which could correspond to a condition called Guillain-Barre syndrome,” said chief researcher German Malaga in comments to the press.
Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare and non-contagious disorder which affects the movement of the arms and legs. Peru declared a temporary health emergency in five regions in June last year following multiple cases.
02:40
If China’s coronavirus vaccines work, which countries will get them and for how much?
In the 1970s a campaign to inoculate Americans against a supposedly devastating strain of swine flu ground to a halt after some 450 of those vaccinated developed the syndrome, which can also cause paralysis.