Botswana is the latest country to approve the use of the Corbevax coronavirus vaccine – and also plans to produce it locally by 2026.
This is according to South African-born biotech billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong, who made the announcement on a visit to Botswana on Monday.
His NantWorks company has partnered with the Botswana government to set up a vaccine-manufacturing plant – and he was in the southern African country to mark the start of the project.
During his trip, Dr Soon-Shiong said he had organised for Botswana to immediately get access to 100 million doses of the Corbevax vaccine currently in production elsewhere.
He said the protein-based vaccine had been declared safe, worked against every variant and 10 million doses had already been administered, mainly in India and Bangladesh.
The patent-free vaccine, developed by US researchers, is currently being produced in India and there is no requirement for Corbevax to be stored at very low temperatures.
Currently, only 1% of the vaccines used in Africa are produced on the continent – and the latest figures show that only 15% of Africans are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
Latest Stories
-
Tiler gets 7 years for defilement; claims victim forced him to have sex with her
32 mins -
MTN FA Cup 2022: Hearts of Oak beat Bechem United to retain title
1 hour -
Playback: The Probe interviewed Asabeee on NPP Chairmanship race
1 hour -
Samson’s Take: This will collapse a government in a serious country
2 hours -
Tullow Ghana, Petroleum Commission hold workshop
2 hours -
IMANI Africa lists 10 challenges with National Cathedral
2 hours -
Police seeks court ruling on time and location of Arise Ghana protest
3 hours -
Criminal law departing from retribution to correction – Edmund Foley
5 hours -
We have a proposal to establish community service structure for convicts – Deputy Attorney-General
5 hours -
Presidential travels: We’re reaping the rewards of bitter seeds – Presidency on Ablakwa’s allegations
5 hours -
Community service will water down crime – Deputy A-G
5 hours -
Reverse clearance for mining at Winneba – Effutu Ramsar site management to Minerals Commission
6 hours -
Akufo-Addo’s travels have benefits, what about yours? – Presidency to Ablakwa
6 hours -
Live in harmony with the environment to avert more floods – Ghanaians told
6 hours -
Ablakwa seeking to achieve prominence with negative attacks on Akufo-Addo – Presidency
7 hours