The ministry posted notices that around 350 to 450 senior citizens were needed for the study which will also test the effectiveness and safety of the vaccine for the group.

Those interested in volunteering for the tests can contact the nine hospitals involved, namely Ampang Hospital, Sarawak General Hospital, Penang Hospital, Seberang Jaya Hospital, Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital, Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, Taiping Hospital, Sungai Buloh Hospital and Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital.

The study is a collaboration between the ministry, the Institute of Medical Biology, and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.

The ministry said 8,162 people aged 18 and above had volunteered for the clinical trial so far.

The ministry said 1,512 people agreed to participate in the study, while 38% of the volunteers had received the first dose of the trial vaccine or a placebo.