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This is because the Oxford / Astrazeneca vaccine has positive peer-reviewed results.
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CAPE TOWN – With South Africa officially grappling with a second wave of COVID-19 infections, the government has been urged to ensure early access to large quantities of a COVID-19 vaccine as more candidates prove safe and effective.
READ MORE: South Africa experiences a second wave of COVID-19 – Mkhize
This is because the Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine has positive peer-reviewed results.
It was developed in part in South Africa and Shabir Madhi, a professor of vaccination at Wits University, worked on the trial.
Professor Madhi said that, ideally, immunization should begin before a widespread resurgence of COVID-19, which he anticipates will be more prevalent during the first quarter of next year.
“Probably around February of next year, we will see a much more widespread resurgence starting to take place across the country, unless the behavior of citizens is more aware of what is required of them to prevent such a resurgence.”
ALSO READ: Adolescents account for the majority of infections in SA’s second wave of COVID-19 – Mkhize
Madhi said that locally, trial participants are being followed until between 40 and 45 have developed COVID-19, at least two weeks after receiving the second dose of vaccine.
Given the results from the UK and Brazil, Madhi expects the vaccine to locally provide a similar level of protection of at least 60%.
In South Africa, the vaccine is being tested among 2,100 participants.
WATCH: Mkhize: Expect a faster increase in COVID-19 cases in the second wave
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