Update on Africa’s COVID-19 vaccine trial

South Africa is bracing itself for a potential surge in COVID-19 cases, with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases projecting that the country could see close to 408,000 coronavirus cases by mid-next month. Currently, South Africa has over 118,000 positive COVID-19 cases and more than 2,000 deaths. In response to this growing crisis, the first person in the country was injected with a tested vaccine at Witwatersrand University in Johannesburg as part of a trial. The university initially called for 50 volunteers but was overwhelmed with 300 eager participants. Dr. Anthonet Koen, the Principal Investigator of the trial, provided insights into the progress and future plans of the vaccination study. The trial, which commenced earlier this week, has already seen the vaccination of the first 24 subjects. The initial phase, focused on closely monitoring the safety of the vaccine in these individuals, is expected to be completed by next week. The subsequent goal is to rapidly enroll an additional 1,950 subjects onto the study. Dr. Koen emphasized the significant effort required to achieve this target, highlighting the diligent work ahead. Dr. Koen shed light on the intricate process involved in conducting the trial. Before commencing any trial, approvals from the ethics committee and relevant authorities need to be secured. In the case of the genetically modified vaccine being tested, approval from the Department of Forestry and Fisheries was also mandatory. Recruitment of subjects began by approaching previous trial participants, but the overwhelming community response quickly escalated volunteer numbers. The screening process involved determining eligibility through various tests, including blood draws, before individuals could be enrolled in the trial. While the trial's duration spans over a year, the recruitment period aims to enroll 2,000 participants within the next six weeks. Recognizing the magnitude of this task, plans are underway to expand the trial to other locations, including the Western Cape. While the approval process for this expansion is ongoing, preparations are in place to initiate trial sites in Pretoria and Hubeirau next week. Collaboration with global counterparts, particularly Oxford University in the UK, is integral to the trial's success. The vaccine being tested in South Africa is from Oxford University, fostering a close relationship between the two entities. Dr. Koen highlighted the concurrent trials utilizing the same vaccine in the US and Brazil, further emphasizing the global cooperation in advancing COVID-19 vaccine research. As South Africa navigates the complexities of battling the COVID-19 pandemic, the initiation of the vaccine trial brings a ray of hope amidst challenging times. The dedication and diligence of healthcare professionals, researchers, and volunteers stand as a testament to the collective efforts aimed at combating this unprecedented global health crisis.