The vaccine, created by Biovac in partnership with the SA Medical Research Council, was unveiled at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, Johannesburg, on Tuesday. It marks a historic milestone for African science and vaccine independence, as phase one of clinical trials officially begins.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi hailed the development as a breakthrough for the continent, saying it demonstrates South Africa’s growing capacity to produce vaccines from start to finish.
“Nowhere on the African continent, nowhere I repeat, do we find a pharmaceutical company that can manufacture vaccines right from scratch, end to end,” said Motsoaledi. “This is the first on our African continent. Of course, we are hoping it won’t be the last, but it will be the first, and that’s why we are so excited about it, because it is history-making.”
–SABC/ChannelAfrica–
