How close is SA to a COVID-19 vaccine?

This week the Unites Stated and the UK have had encouraging updates of their respective Covid-19 vaccine trials, showing promising results which could see a vaccine available as early next year. Back home in South Africa, we are about a month into our vaccine trial and the country is experiencing volatile surges in case numbers, will this be a threat to the progress of the vaccine trial? Joining CNBC Africa for more is Shabir Madhi, Professor of Vaccinology at the University of Witwatersrand.

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 10:54:54 GMT

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AI Generated Summary

Issues faced in vaccine trials due to rising COVID-19 cases in South Africa
Caution regarding the timeline for vaccine availability in Africa
Phased approach to vaccination prioritizing healthcare workers and high-risk groups

The race for a COVID-19 vaccine is on, with countries like the United States and the United Kingdom making strides in their respective vaccine trials. These developments bring hope of a vaccine being available as early as next year. In South Africa, the University of Witwatersrand has been conducting vaccine trials for about a month now amidst volatile surges in case numbers across the country. This raises concerns about the impact of rising cases on the progress of the vaccine trial. To shed light on the situation, CNBC Africa spoke with Professor Shabir Madhi, an expert in Vaccinology at the University of Witwatersrand. Professor Madhi highlighted the challenges faced in the trials due to the peak in COVID-19 cases in South Africa. The ideal scenario would involve participants receiving two doses of the vaccine before being exposed to the virus, but many are getting infected before receiving the second dose, complicating the evaluation of the vaccine's efficacy. He also expressed caution regarding the timeline for vaccine availability, pointing out that while companies may produce vaccines by the end of the year, approval for use depends on clinical trial results, which may not be ready until late 2020 or early 2021. The recent data on immune responses to the vaccine is promising, but further trials are needed to determine its effectiveness in preventing illness. Professor Madhi emphasized the need for patience, suggesting that the earliest Africans could receive the vaccine would be in the third quarter of 2021, with a priority given to healthcare workers and high-risk groups. Given the limited vaccine supply, it may take two to three years to vaccinate a significant portion of the South African population. The focus will initially be on protecting healthcare workers and individuals at high risk of severe disease, gradually expanding to the broader community. This phased approach aims to ensure that those most vulnerable receive protection first, with the goal of eventually achieving widespread vaccination coverage.