This archive report was first published on 21 April 2020.
Published on April 21, 2020, the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has initiated the process of developing a COVID-19 vaccine. The possible candidate vaccine prototype is expected to be ready in October 2020.
The development of the vaccine is a collaborative effort between KEMRI and the World Health Organization (WHO). According to the WHO, a candidate vaccine is a flu virus that has been prepared by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) or another public health partner that can be used by vaccine manufacturers to produce a flu vaccine.
The production of the prototype vaccine is estimated to cost Sh500 million. KEMRI officials have assured that the process will be conducted with utmost care, using mammalian cells.
Dr. Mumo, a researcher at KEMRI, stated that the process of growing the virus in the laboratory has already commenced. He emphasized that the agency will follow the standard practice of manufacturing a vaccine as stipulated by the WHO.
Dr. Mumo further explained that the agency will review the blood of persons who have tested positive and recovered from the virus, followed by the analysis of their immunology. This approach will help identify the antibodies or vaccine candidates based on that.
While it may take up to 18 months to develop a fully tested and safe vaccine, countries around the world are racing against time to develop their own as the global death toll continues to spike. In Kenya, the virus has killed 14 people and infected 296 as of April 21, 2020.
