On Tuesday South Africa announced its
first clinical trial of the novel coronavirus vaccine this week. South Africa
will launch the first African coronavirus vaccine trial as the country with the
highest number of cases in Africa.
first clinical trial of the novel coronavirus vaccine this week. South Africa
will launch the first African coronavirus vaccine trial as the country with the
highest number of cases in Africa.
The candidate to the vaccine, which
was developed by the Oxford Jenner Institute in the UK, is currently being
evaluated, where 4000 participants signed up to the trial, researchers told the
University of Witwatersrand (Wits) of Johannesburg at a virtual news
conference.
was developed by the Oxford Jenner Institute in the UK, is currently being
evaluated, where 4000 participants signed up to the trial, researchers told the
University of Witwatersrand (Wits) of Johannesburg at a virtual news
conference.
Vaccines and Infectious Diseases
Analytics Research Unit (VIDA), Professor of vaccination at Wits Uni and
Director of the South Africa Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Shabir Madhi,
who heads the trial, said:
Analytics Research Unit (VIDA), Professor of vaccination at Wits Uni and
Director of the South Africa Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Shabir Madhi,
who heads the trial, said:
“At this stage of the COVID-19
pandemic, this is a landmark moment for South Africa and Africa. The South
African vaccine study Oxford 1 COVID-19 started last week and will be
vaccinated by our first participants this week.
pandemic, this is a landmark moment for South Africa and Africa. The South
African vaccine study Oxford 1 COVID-19 started last week and will be
vaccinated by our first participants this week.
The school works with Oxford
University and the Oxford Jenner Institute to conduct this trial.
University and the Oxford Jenner Institute to conduct this trial.
According to a statement on the website
of Wits, the vaccine used is the same in the UK and Brazil.
of Wits, the vaccine used is the same in the UK and Brazil.
With 101,590 cases and 1,991 fatality,
South Africa is the most hit country in the continent. Health officials have
warned of a rise in infections within the next few days.
South Africa is the most hit country in the continent. Health officials have
warned of a rise in infections within the next few days.
