Uganda ‘to begin human trials’ of Covid-19 vaccine

Uganda will begin human trials of a Covid-19 vaccine in November, the Daily Monitor newspaper reports quoting ministry of health officials.

The vaccine, called Self Replicating RNA, has been developed through a partnership between Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and Imperial College in the UK.

The head of a presidential taskforce on epidemics, Monica Musenero, is quoted as saying the first trial will be conducted on 10 Ugandans.

If successful, a second trial will involve about 100 to 200 people followed by a final trial of between 1,000 and 3,000 people, she said.

The bulk of the project is being financed by the UK university.

The East Africa country has to date confirmed more than 7,000 coronavirus cases and 75 deaths.