Africa should be at the forefront of COVID-19 vaccine trials

17 September 2020 | Story Kelly Chibale. Photo Je’nine May. Read time 7 min.
“COVID-19 has provided us with a golden opportunity to contribute to and participate in a global priority.” – Prof Kelly Chibale
“COVID-19 has provided us with a golden opportunity to contribute to and participate in a global priority.” – Prof Kelly Chibale

The news that the University of Oxford has developed a COVID-19 vaccine that appears safe and has triggered an immune response is an encouraging step in our long journey toward returning to normality. It also provides the opportunity to join forces to tackle the pandemic and highlight Africa’s scientific leadership. This according to the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Professor Kelly Chibale.

The news that the University of Oxford has developed a Covid-19 vaccine, that appears safe and has triggered an immune response, is an encouraging step in our long journey toward returning to normality. It also provides the opportunity to join forces to tackle the pandemic and highlight Africa’s scientific leadership.

When South Africa’s first Covid-19 case was confirmed in early March 2020, few could have predicted what would come next. Fast forward to July 2020 and we are leading in a tally that we would rather not be placed in: South Africa has the highest number of Covid-19 cases on the continent – accounting for just over half of Africa’s almost 900,000 cases. More than 7,000 families have lost a loved one, although some experts believe this number could be higher.

But how we are affected goes beyond these numbers. In March 2020, you wouldn’t have thought twice about hugging a friend or an elderly relative. Now you hold back, unsure of the risk. And, of course, there is the cost to the economy: Scores of people have lost their jobs, with thousands fighting for the few that remain.

Physical distancing and the restrictions put in place by the government have been crucial in helping us manage the pandemic, but we can’t stay distanced forever.

That’s why the news around the University of Oxford vaccine is so welcome. Never before have we seen such encouraging results so early in the process. While we still have a long way to go before we arrive at a safe and effective vaccine, these results give us hope that a vaccine is possible, and we are on the right path.

Building on these initial results, the Oxford trial will now move to expand the number of participants to ensure the results can be repeated across regions and help identify any potential side effects. South Africa is one of four countries where clinical trials are being held. This is happening as scientists across continents join forces in an array of other vaccine trials. A final vaccine, albeit not guaranteed, may still be many months, (or possibly even years) away, but when it arrives, we can be assured it will be safe and effective.

I have dedicated my career to researching and finding solutions to some of the continent’s most stubborn diseases like malaria and tuberculosis. But never before have I seen so much interest or focus on health science and research. At the same time, we have to debunk misinformation and conspiracy theories. Sometimes, it can be an innocent mistake; misinformation spreads so easily because it taps into our fears and doesn’t need to include any truths. But the impact can be dangerous and damaging.

First, it perpetuates the belief that Africa can’t be a source of health innovation. Second, it could discourage the next generation of researchers – why dedicate your life to science and finding solutions for someone on the internet to dispute your work and sometimes even slander you?

 

“Every day, I interact with some of the biggest and brightest scientific minds. And it isn’t just in South Africa. Across the continent, there is a cadre of scientists working on solutions to some of Africa’s biggest problems. It is time we celebrated and amplified our scientific expertise. It is time we became more active participants in the global scientific community.”

More than ever, we need to encourage dialogue between scientists and our communities, and share the tremendous benefits of science. Covid-19 has provided us with a golden opportunity to contribute to and participate in a global priority. It is also essential. Africa is genetically the most diverse continent on Earth. We need to ensure that the different regions in Africa are part of clinical trials, so that a vaccine, as well as its dosage and frequency, is tailored for the use of our specific populations, rather than being brought in from the global North.

Currently, fewer than 2% of clinical trials globally are conducted in Africa. We need to change this and ensure that African perspectives are considered during the clinical testing of medicines and vaccines. By being active participants, we can help ensure vaccines and treatments will work here. It also gives us capital to demand equal and early access to successful vaccines.

But it also goes beyond this, to something much bigger. We are experiencing a global pandemic, the like of which has not been seen in over a century. Helping find the solution allows us to build our research institutions and capacity, which, in turn, helps better prepare our infrastructure for future pandemics and creates jobs.

Clinical research requires the services of scientists, nurses and technologists to name a few, so you can imagine the array of meaningful, knowledge-based opportunities they can create for young Africans not just in direct jobs, but also in indirect jobs. As somebody who grew up in townships and villages, I can vouch for the power of a science-driven job to change the life of a young person.

It is also our responsibility to get involved. As Africans, we cannot demand equitable access or distribution of a vaccine if we do not participate and contribute ourselves. This is an opportunity for African scientists to lead, to earn respect and credibility, and to show that we can be at the forefront of doing clinical trials.

Every day, I interact with some of the biggest and brightest scientific minds. And it isn’t just in South Africa. Across the continent, there is a cadre of scientists working on solutions to some of Africa’s biggest problems. It is time we celebrated and amplified our scientific expertise. It is time we became more active participants in the global scientific community.

As scientists across the world continue their work, I call upon all citizens in Africa to become partners in the quest for a Covid-19 vaccine. Only through our joint efforts and trust in science can this virus be defeated.

This article was originally published by Daily Maverick.

For licensing information please visit the source website.

UCT’s response to COVID-19

COVID-19 is a global pandemic that caused President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare a national disaster in South Africa on 15 March 2020 and to implement a national lockdown from 26 March 2020. UCT is taking the threat of infection in our university community extremely seriously, and this page will be updated with the latest COVID-19 information. Please note that the information on this page is subject to change depending on current lockdown regulations.

Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, has in June 2022 repealed some of South Africa’s remaining COVID-19 regulations: namely, sections 16A, 16B and 16C of the Regulations Relating to the Surveillance and the Control of Notifiable Medical Conditions under the National Health Act. We are now no longer required to wear masks or limit gatherings. Venue restrictions and checks for travellers coming into South Africa have now also been removed.

In July 2022, the University of Cape Town (UCT) revised its approach to managing the COVID-19 pandemic on UCT campuses in 2022.
Read the latest document available on the UCT policies web page.

 

Campus communications

 
2022

Adjusting to our new environment 16:50, 23 June 2022
VC Open Lecture and other updates 17:04, 13 April 2022
Feedback from UCT Council meeting of 12 March 2022 09:45, 18 March 2022
UCT Council
March 2022 graduation celebration 16:45, 8 March 2022
Report on the meeting of UCT Council of 21 February 2022 19:30, 21 February 2022
UCT Council
COVID-19 management 2022 11:55, 14 February 2022
Return to campus arrangements 2022 11:15, 4 February 2022

UCT Community of Hope Vaccination Centre

On Wednesday, 20 July, staff from the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Faculty of Health Sciences came together with representatives from the Western Cape Government at the UCT Community of Hope Vaccination Centre at Forest Hill Residence to acknowledge the centre’s significance in the fight against COVID-19 and to thank its staff for their contributions. The centre opened on 1 September 2021 with the aim of providing quality vaccination services to UCT staff, students and the nearby communities, as well as to create an opportunity for medical students from the Faculty of Health Sciences to gain practical public health skills. The vaccination centre ceased operations on Friday, 29 July 2022.

With the closure of the UCT Community of Hope Vaccination Centre, if you still require access to a COVID-19 vaccination site please visit the CovidComms SA website to find an alternative.

 

“After almost a year of operation, the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Community of Hope Vaccination Centre, located at the Forest Hill residence complex in Mowbray, will close on Friday, 29 July 2022. I am extremely grateful and proud of all staff, students and everyone involved in this important project.”
– Vice-Chancellor Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng

With the closure of the UCT Community of Hope Vaccination Centre, if you still require access to a COVID-19 vaccination site please visit the CovidComms SA website to find an alternative.


Thank You UCT Community

Frequently asked questions

 

Global Citizen Asks: Are COVID-19 Vaccines Safe & Effective?

UCT’s Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM) collaborated with Global Citizen, speaking to trusted experts to dispel vaccine misinformation.



If you have further questions about the COVID-19 vaccine check out the FAQ produced by the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation (DTHF). The DTHF has developed a dedicated chat function where you can ask your vaccine-related questions on the bottom right hand corner of the website.

IDM YouTube channel | IDM website
 

 

“As a contact university, we look forward to readjusting our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in 2023 as the COVID-19 regulations have been repealed.”
– Prof Harsha Kathard, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning

We are continuing to monitor the situation and we will be updating the UCT community regularly – as and when there are further updates. If you are concerned or need more information, students can contact the Student Wellness Service on 021 650 5620 or 021 650 1271 (after hours), while staff can contact 021 650 5685.

 

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