There is no vaccine for Covid-19 – Nzimande and Mthembu

There is currently no cure or vaccine for the Covid-19 global pandemic, Higher Education, Science and Innovation Blade Nzimande said

Nzimande, who is also SACP general secretary, said testing for vaccines normally took 12 to 18 months, warning that any rush could cause havoc.

His comments came in the wake of the latest statistics showing that the number of Coronavirus cases had increased from 402 to 554 cases and was expected to keep increasing. This was a jump of 152 cases since President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the national lockdown from which kicks in from midnight on Thursday.

He was part of a panel of ministers from social cluster – which also included Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and Social Development minister Lindiwe Zulu –  briefing the media on  how their departments were implementing the stringent lockdown measures as announced by Ramaphosa under the Disaster Management  Act.

Nzimande said preliminary work on the development of vaccines had started at the University of Cape Town, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and The Biovac Institute.

“A number of existing drugs are being re-purposed and tested for efficacy of the potential treatment for COVAD 19. Current trials happening internationally coordinated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) are being monitored,” he said.

Nzimande said progress on the development of the vaccine was expected in 18 months.

“As of now there is no vaccine. We can’t take a risk with human life,” he said.

Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu also reiterated that there was no vaccine for Covid-19 and that citizens should follow the hygiene steps announced by Ramaphosa and observe social distancing.

Preliminary work on the development of vaccines has started with UCT, CSIR and Biovac. Progress is expected in over 18 months.

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