African Union Commission launches Consortium for COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Trials
The newly formed Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Consortium for COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Trial (CONCVACT) is co-chaired by Professor Salim Abdool Karim (Chair of the Ministerial Advisory Committee for COVID-19 in South Africa); Dr Samba Sow, (Director-General, Centre for Vaccine Development of Mali); and Dr John Nkengasong, (Director of Africa CDC).
CONCVACT aims to conduct late stage vaccine clinical trials as early as possible on the continent by bringing together global vaccine developers with African organizations that conduct clinical trials.
The announcement was made at the virtual conference on Africa's Leadership Role in COVID-19 Vaccine Development and Access held on 24-25 June hosted by Africa CDC and chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa (Chair of the African Union) and Mr Moussa Faki Mahamat ( Chair of the African Union Commission). President Cyril Ramaphosa said "Success in developing and providing access to a safe vaccine requires an innovative and collaborative approach with significant local manufacturing in Africa. We need to support the contribution of African scientists and healthcare professionals.”