[ad_1]
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) has established a specialized task force of experts to prepare for the launch of the coronavirus vaccine in the country.
CAPE TOWN – The body that approves and regulates medical products has assured South Africans that there will be strict safety protocols to guide the deployment of potential COVID-19 vaccines.
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) has established a specialized task force of experts to prepare for the launch of the coronavirus vaccine in the country.
The National Press Club welcomed the regulatory body for an online update on the COVID-19 vaccine registration Monday afternoon.
With the UK starting its mass vaccination campaign last week and the US preparing to distribute the vaccines as soon as possible, South Africans are wondering when and how the launch will happen here.
Globally, more than 200 COVID-19 vaccine candidates are being developed with 11 in Phase 3 clinical trials.
Professor Helen Rees, chairwoman of the Sahpra board, said the recently released peer-reviewed results of COVID-19 vaccines give confidence in the products.
“Now there are posts, for example, about Pfizer and AstraZeneca [vaccines]. These are peer-reviewed publications in highly reputable journals and one of the things about that compared to a press release is that it gives us confidence that professional colleagues have looked at the data and approved the publication of that data. “
The regulatory body’s executive director, Dr. Boitumelo Semete, said that the quality, safety and efficacy of any potential vaccine was paramount.
“We will make sure that any vaccine that is available in the country has gone through a very thorough scientific review, that we are satisfied that it meets the regulatory requirements, that we have applied them in many other vaccines that are available in the country. “
Once COVID-19 vaccine candidates have been approved, the national Department of Health will determine access and distribution of a vaccine or vaccines.
Sahpra controls the deployment of all medical devices in the country, which includes monitoring, evaluation and registration.
Download the EWN app on your iOS or Android device.
[ad_2]
