Africa is now able to start clinical trials for Covid-19 vaccines after the African Union Commission officially launched the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Consortium for Covid-19 Vaccine Clinical Trial (CONCVACT).

The CONCVACT, according to the commission, aims to secure more than 10 late stage vaccine clinical trials “as early as possible on the continent”.

It aims to bring together global vaccine developers and funders, as well as African organisations that facilitate clinical trials.

“The goal is to ensure that sufficient data is generated on the safety and efficacy of the most promising vaccine candidates for the African population so they can be confidently rolled out in Africa once vaccines are approved,” states AU Commission in a release.

“It is critically important for academics, researchers and the private sector to work together and use all available platforms for the development of Covid-19 vaccine, which will enable Africa to regain momentum for achieving the goals of the continental integration agenda” said Moussa Faki Mahamat, the AU Commission Chairman.