OREANDA-NEWS  The Pasteur Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology in St. Petersburg has completed clinical trials of a skin test for T-cell immunity to COVID-19. The new development was announced by the director of the Institute, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Areg Totolyan.

All stages of preclinical studies, as well as the first and second phases of clinical studies have already been completed. Next week, the Research Institute will submit documents for registration of the drug.

Totolyan explained that after registration, Russians will have the opportunity to check for immunity to coronavirus in a new way in polyclinics. The test itself will work on a principle similar to the Mantoux reaction. The director of the institution clarified that the injection is intended for adult citizens.

"If there is T-cell immunity, then when you meet the virus again, antibodies will always appear. If there is no cellular immunity, then this is an indication for vaccination or revaccination," Totolyan added.

Earlier, the head of the Federal Service for Intellectual Property, Yuri Zubov, said that the Gamalei Center had patented a vaccine against COVID-19 delta and omicron strains. This drug contains an updated set of antigens to combat later subspecies of coronavirus.