Last Updated on June 22, 2020, 8:54 AM AST by Anthony Morris
The researchers and scientists around over the world are racing against time to find the vaccine for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is popularly known as COVID-19 coronavirus.
The lethal virus known as the novel coronavirus has claimed more than 4,70,000 lives globally and has also delivered a severe blow to the economies of almost all the countries of the world.
Claims have come from the side of a team of Nigerian scientists that the team has discovered the vaccine for the lethal novel coronavirus.
The news about the discovery of the vaccine was announced on Friday by the Scientist from the Nigerian Universities under the aegis of COVID-19 Research Group.
Dr Oladipo Kolawole, a specialist in Bioinformatics, Medical Virology and Immunology at the Adeleke University, Ede in Osun, and also the leader of the research team, has said that the vaccine was being locally developed in Africa for the Africans.
Dr Oldipo said that the vaccine would take a minimum of 18 months before it becomes available to the public. Many trials and approvals are required from the medial authorities before the vaccine can become available for the people.
Professor Solomon Adebola, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the university, said that they are glad that a vaccine which would provide a solution to a global problem such as the novel coronavirus pandemic is coming from the university.
He added that it is the passion of the university to provide solutions to such a global pandemic and that they are ready to throw their weights behind the team and make the vaccine a reality.
Professor Julius Oloke, the Head, Coordinating Unit of the Research Group and Vice-Chancellor of Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan said that the vaccine is real.
He added that they had validated it several times. It is targeted at Africans, but it would also work for the other races.
He added that it took a lot of scientific effort to make the vaccine. The population of those who need the vaccine is more than those who need the drugs for the treatment. This is the reason why the research was focussed on a vaccine.
At present, around 13 experimental COVID 19 vaccines are being tested on more than 120 human candidates.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
