MAKING VACCINESSo how exactly are vaccines developed and would it be possible to turn Africa into guinea pigs? Well, the development of public health infrastructure in Africa, which involves vaccines and the expansion of campaigns against epidemic diseases, is shaped by broader regional and international political tensions and imperatives. DISEASES PRIORITISEDWith little resources to be used for so many health challenges, the World Health Organization (WHO) has prioritised diseases that need urgent attention in terms of vaccines development. They include Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, Ebola virus disease, Marburg virus disease, Lassa fever, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome, Nipah virus infection, henipaviral disease, Rift Valley fever and Zika virus disease. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation is now making vaccines for five of these diseases.

Source: Daily Nation April 07, 2020 04:18 UTC