Women in Science Africa

Menu
  • Woman of Impact
  • News
  • Analysis
  • Perspective
  • Jobs and Careers
  • Podcast
  • Youth
Women In Science Logo
  • Subscribe Newsletter
  • Scientists Directory
Women in science logo
The African Scientists Directory
Menu
  • Woman of Impact
  • News
  • Analysis
  • Perspective
  • Jobs and Careers
  • Podcast
  • Youth
Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin

WHO Director-General visits South African biopharmaceutical

wins by wins
February 10, 2022
in News
WHO Director-General visits South African biopharmaceutical
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsApp

South Africa has played a significant role globally in fighting COVID-19 through country and the world at large.

This week, with the country poised to host Africa’s first vaccine manufacturing hub, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, will be visiting South Africa’s vaccine research sites.

For South Africa, this landmark development is a major advance in the international effort to build vaccine development and manufacturing capacity that will put Africa on the path to self-determination.

106997682 1641484197141 gettyimages 1237353560 AFP 9UZ94P

The two-day visit on 11 and 12 February will see Dr Tedros, accompanied by the Belgian Minister of Development Cooperation, Ms Meryame Kitir, touring facilities including Afrigen Biologics & Vaccines, the Biomedical Research Institute based at Stellenbosch University’s Tygerburg Medical Campus, and Biovac, among others.

The WHO announced last year that South Africa will host Africa’s first COVID mRNA vaccine technology transfer hub. The country was chosen as the host following thorough due diligence and a recommendation by the WHO’s Product Development for Vaccines Advisory Committee.

The selection was based on the country’s available infrastructure and research platforms, its scientific excellence, its experience in technology transfer, and a strong public-private partnership consortium that straddles the full vaccine research, development and manufacturing value chain and is fully supported by the South African government.

DXzHS9bWAAIbhF6 1

The tech transfer hub could make it possible for African companies to begin manufacturing mRNA-based vaccines – the advanced technology now used in shots from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna – in as little as nine to 12 months.

The country’s infrastructure, benefitting hugely from investments by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), has played a huge role in the government’s response to the pandemic. Facilities focused on genomics, diagnostics, vaccine manufacturing and data analytics have shown world-class scientific capacity in the fight to contain COVID-19 in South Africa and abroad.

The international delegation will be hosted by South Africa’s Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, and accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Mr Buti Manamela, among others.

The delegation will also visit various vaccination sites and healthcare facilities.

The media are invited as follows:

Day 1 – Friday, 11 February 2022

Tour of facility:

Venue: Afrigen Biologics (5 Kestrel Park, Longclaw Drive, Montague Gardens)
Time: 08:00 – 11:00

Tour of facility and media briefing:

Venue: Biomedical Research Institute, Tygerberg Medical Campus, Bellville (Francie Van Zijl Drive, 7493, Bellville

Time: 14:00 – 17:00

Day 2 – Saturday, 12 February 2022

Venue: Biovac, 15 Alexandra Road, Pinelands (Download map)

Time: 09:00 – 12:30

Alternatively join the event virtually.
Zoom invite link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYqf-CrqTgsGtcV6d5KRUY-2PntmDaIclEJ

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/EFfuzDQwQzQ

Tags: COVID-19Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusWHO

Related Posts

World Health Organisation
Perspective

World Health Organisation recognises the ignored threat of fungal infections

November 16, 2022
African traditional medicine could be a solution for Africa and the world’s health emergencies
Perspective

African traditional medicine could be a solution for Africa and the world’s health emergencies

August 31, 2022
COVID-19: From preparation and response to recovery and preservation
Analysis

COVID-19: From preparation and response to recovery and preservation

August 2, 2022
Next Post
South Africa’s mRNA hub progress it’s foundation for self-reliance

South Africa’s mRNA hub progress it's foundation for self-reliance

Categories

Search

No Result
View All Result
Women in science logo

Women in Science is the continent’s premier platform for women scientists. A space for Africa’s growing community of female scientists to find support, networks and a home for their ideas and achievements to take root and grow. Published by Media Torque and Events PTY Ltd ……….. Read more

SECTIONS

  • Women of Impact
  • Analysis
  • Podcast
  • News
  • Perspective
  • Youth
  • Jobs and Careers
Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin

MORE ON WOMEN IN SCIENCE

  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Publications
  • Collaboration Opportunities

SUBSCRIBE

game changing science from women in science
  • African Scientists Directory

Copyright: Women In Science Africa 2024

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & conditions
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result

© 2025 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.