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
-
Situate power sector challenges within the context of the 4th Republic – Jantuah
9 mins -
Empowering Youth through IT Education: IT For Youth Ghana College leads the way
15 mins -
Trump criminal case: Full 12-person jury seated in Manhattan
29 mins -
Israel Gaza: US again warns against Rafah offensive
32 mins -
Man arrested in Poland over alleged Russia plot to kill Zelensky
36 mins -
Over 100 arrested as US college Gaza protest cleared
38 mins -
Justmoh Construction begins work on dualization of Takoradi-Agona Nkwanta road
50 mins -
MGL visits Dumor family following passing of Mawuena Trebarh
1 hour -
In Pursuit of Peace and Unity: Interfaith Leaders Promote Dialogue – Chief Doli-Wura to Africa Union
1 hour -
TEWU raises concern over quality of food served in SHS
2 hours -
Ghanaian students gear up for Robotics World Championship
3 hours -
Political interference makes public sector managers appear incompetent – Dr Manteaw
3 hours -
Police arrest truck driver alleged to have caused train crash
3 hours -
CAF Confederation Cup: Dreams FC depart to Cairo ahead of semis first leg against Zamalek
3 hours -
Liverpool exit Europa League despite 1-0 win over Atalanta
3 hours