The University of the Witwatersrand has launched clinical trials for a potential vaccine against COVID-19, with two thousand South Africans volunteering to be given the vaccine. The set of vaccine trials are to be the first in South Africa and on the African continent, and the trial seeks to find the vaccine that will prevent people from being infected with the SARS-CoV-2 – the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease.
Wits University is collaborating with the University of Oxford and the Oxford Jenner Institute on the trial. The vaccine that is to be used in South Africa is the same vaccine that is being used in Brazil and the United Kingdom. The vaccine being tested is called ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, and consists of a weakened and non-replicating version of a common-cold virus. It works by using genetic material from the SARS-CoV-2, namely spike glycoprotein from the surface of the virus, inserted into the weakened cold virus, in the hopes of teaching the body to “recognise and develop an immune response” that can prevent the virus from entering the body’s cells.
Vice Principal and Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research and Postgraduate Affairs (and incoming Vice- chancellor) at Wits University, Professor Zeblon Vilakazi said “vaccines are amongst the most powerful tools to mitigate life-threatening diseases. Without a vaccine against COVID-19, there will likely be ongoing contagion, causing severe illness and death”. Prof. Vilakazi also said that “Wits is committed to developing a vaccine to save lives in collaboration with the University of Oxford”.
“vaccines are amongst the most powerful tools to mitigate life-threatening diseases“
Professor Shabir Madhi, Professor of Vaccinology at Wits University, remarked that it was a landmark moment for South Africa and Africa at the current stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. “As we enter winter in South Africa and pressure increases on public hospitals, now more than ever we need a vaccine to prevent infection by COVID-19”. Prof. Madhi, who is also the Director of the South Africa Medical Research Council Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit, is due to lead the South African Ox1Cov-19 Vaccine VIDA-Trial.
“As the world rallies to find health solutions, a South African endeavour for the development of an effective COVID-19 vaccine is testament to our commitment of supporting healthcare innovation to save lives”, says President and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council, with the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Sandile Buthelezi. Dr Buthelezi said that the Department was excited at the launch of the trial, which would go a long way in cementing South Africa’s leadership in the scientific field. “With COVID-19 infections increasing every day, the development of the vaccine will be the last solution in the long term, and we are fully behind the team leading this trial”. South Africa is currently the worst hit country on the African continent. It has surpassed the 420 000 case mark, and has exceeded 6 300 deaths.
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