Uganda launches first clinical trials for #Covid-19 vaccine

President Yoweri Museveni has launched the first clinical trials for #Covid-19 vaccine in Uganda.

Dubbed as UBV-01N, the vaccine was developed by Uganda scientists from Makerere University Lung Institute, Makerere University school of Medicine, Mulago hospital and Makerere University School of public health. The development follows the outbreak of covid-19 in Uganda.

Currently there are 99,363,697 confirmed cases of #Covid-19 worldwide, including 2,135,959 deaths, reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Uganda has 39188 confirmed cases of #Covid-19 including 318 deaths.

In April, Mr. Museveni formed a Presidential Scientific Initiative on Epidemics peddled at supporting scientific research, ideas and innovation to prevent and manage epidemics and their impact.

Headed by presidential advisor on epidemics, Dr. Monica Musenero, the group has worked with the Natural chemotherapeutic research institute (NCRI) to produce Natural chemotherapeutic   products to treat viral and bacterial infections.

The vaccine will be administered to 128 male and female patients who will present Covid-19 symptoms to analyze and validate the natural product anticipated to have antiviral, anti- inflammatory and immunological ability.

Speaking at the launch Museveni congratulated Ugandan scientists for coming up with the vaccine which will tomorrow bring smiles to Ugandan patients.

 “This year, one of my seven priorities will be to ensure that scientists are well paid. Even if we don’t have money, our scientists must get enough pay,” he said.

Minister of Health -Dr Jane Ruth Aceng said the trial will also validate content standardization, and replication after which will be rolled out for industrial production and wide spread use.

“The product has already gone through quality assurance steps and got all the necessary certificates and approval for use in human beings. The product has been approved by the National Drug Authority (NDA), Uganda National Bureau of Standards and National Council of Science and Technology,” she said.

“The findings and the outcome of the studies that we are doing and continue to do will be shared with the whole nation from time to time. I want to thank President Museveni for observing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) before, during and after his campaigns. That was as great of you as a leader.”