COVID-19 Research Group, made up of Nigerian universities’ scientists, on Friday announced that it had discovered a vaccine for the prevention of coronavirus.
The unveiling will however not be done until, at least, 18 months time, owing to the need for analysis and studies as well as approvals by the necessary medical authorities.
The announcement was made on Friday at a press conference at Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State by the leader of the research team, Dr. Oladipo Kolawole.
Kolawole is a specialist in Medical Virology, Immunology and Bioinformatics at Adeleke University, Ede.
He explained that although the vaccine was being developed for Africans, people in other parts of the world could use it as well.
He also said that the vaccine could also work for other diseases.
With the initial funding by the Trinity Immunodeficient Laboratory and Helix Biogen Consult, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, to the tune of about N7.8 million, Kolawole stated that the team explored the SARS-CoV-2 genome from African countries to select the best possible potential vaccine candidates.
He said the team of scientists was able to choose the best potential vaccine candidates for the SARS-CoV-2 and had made the possible latent vaccine constructs.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Solomon Adebola, said the university was ready to offer the necessary assistance to bring out the vaccine.
“We are glad that a vaccine that will provide solution to a global problem like Coronavirus pandemic is coming from the garden.
“It is our passion to be a solution provider to such a global pandemic, and we are ready to throw our weights behind the team and make the vaccine a reality,” he said.
The Head, Coordinating Unit of the Research Group and Vice-Chancellor of Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan, Prof. Julius Oloke, also spoke about the vaccine.
His words: “It’s a pleasure that we have come together to produce a vaccine at a time that the world is in need of solution to a ravaging pandemic.
“It’s a proof that we are working and not folding our hands or looking away from the problem.
“The vaccine is real.
“We have validated it severally.
“It is targeted at Africans, but will also work for other races.
“It will work.
“It cannot be faked.
“This is a result of determination.
“It took a lot of scientific efforts.
“The population of those that need vaccines is more than those that need drugs.
“That is why the research focussed on vaccine.”
