The coronavirus pandemic, which has been spreading around the world since the beginning of 2020, has already infected over 4 million patients worldwide and has claimed over 284,000 lives. The coronavirus vaccine is currently being developed by the world’s leading researchers, and now Nigerian patients may take part in the clinical trial. Find out more right now!
Support your health with vitamins and supplements from Jiji
Last week, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 announced that Nigeria has officially expressed interest to become part of the clinical trial for the new coronavirus vaccine. Nigeria has already indicated its desire to be included in the group of countries to tackle the coronavirus pandemic to the World Health Organization.
The news was delivered by the Nigerian PTF members, Doctor Sani Aliyu and the Nigerian Health Minister Osagie Ehanire, who said that the US manufacturers of the COVID-19 vaccine have reached out to Nigerian officials, urging them to collaborate with the manufacturer and other countries to test the coronavirus vaccine and speed up its rollout to the general public.
The PTF officials have added that, in addition to the clinical trial of the US-developed coronavirus vaccine, Nigeria also plans to take part in two other clinical trials: one for another COVID-19 vaccine that is being developed in Oxford, and other for the drug called Remdesivir, that is now being referred to as the most promising way to alleviate the coronavirus symptoms and lower the mortality rate of the disease.
Read more: Check Out How Much Remdesivir, The Coronavirus Drug, Will Cost
The members of the PTF added that if a new clinical trial opportunity presents, Nigeria will consider joining it to ensure safe and fast delivery of an effective way to curb the coronavirus pandemic. Aliyu and Ehanire added that throughout the clinical trials involving Nigerian patients, the officials pledge to maintain ethical standards and ensure the safety of their own citizens.
At the moment, it is not clear when the vaccine against COVID-19 will be developed or when the clinical trial in Nigeria may start. However, the representative of the World Health Organization, Fiona Brakar, said that the first clinical trial for the vaccine started about 60 days from the day China shared the genetic sequencing information of the novelty coronavirus, and the full development of the vaccine may take anywhere between 12 and 18 months.
Read more: #StoptheNCDCBill: Nigerians Reject Bill To Strengthen NCDC, Allow Forceful Vaccination
Buy and sell with confidence from your phone using the Jiji app
