Faizel Patel – 23/06/2020
Photo: COVID-19 News Medical
Wits University says South Africa is ready for the first COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial.
The announcement was made during a virtual press conference hosted by the university on Tuesday.
Wits University says it is collaborating with the University of Oxford and the Oxford Jenner Institute on the South African trial while the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) has partnered with the Bill Gates Foundation to develop the vaccine.
Professor of Vaccinology at Wits University and Director of the South Africa Medical Research Council, Shabir Madhi says this is a step up in the fight against COVID-19.
“This is a landmark moment for South Africa and Africa at this 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.”
Wits University says that 2,000 people between the ages of 18 and 65 would be enrolled for the trial, which is expected to be run at multiple sites in South Africa.
Watch the video by Wits University.
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