IN CONVERSATION WITH DR ANGELIQUE COETZEE
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The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA)
recently approved the start of Phase 1 clinical trials for a locally
manufactured oral cholera vaccine developed by Biovac, a Cape
Town–based biopharmaceutical company.
The announcement was made by Minister of Health, Dr Aaron
Motsoaledi, who described the development as a “historic leap” for
African healthcare independence.
Cholera remains a serious public health threat across Africa, with
outbreaks linked to poor sanitation, contaminated water, and climate-
related flooding.
The global shortage of cholera vaccines has worsened in recent years,
forcing the World Health Organization (WHO) to ration available
doses — underscoring the need for local production.
The vaccine will undergo trials at the Perinatal HIV Research Unit
(Wits PHRU) in Johannesburg, testing its safety and dosage.
If successful, later trials will expand to Durban and East London,
comparing results with the internationally used Euvichol-Plus
vaccine.
The project is expected to contribute to South Africa’s goal of
becoming a continental vaccine manufacturing hub, aligning with the
09:15
African Union’s target of producing 60% of all vaccines locally by
2030.
Full approval and rollout are anticipated by 2028–2029 if all trial
phases are successful.
recently approved the start of Phase 1 clinical trials for a locally
manufactured oral cholera vaccine developed by Biovac, a Cape
Town–based biopharmaceutical company.
The announcement was made by Minister of Health, Dr Aaron
Motsoaledi, who described the development as a “historic leap” for
African healthcare independence.
Cholera remains a serious public health threat across Africa, with
outbreaks linked to poor sanitation, contaminated water, and climate-
related flooding.
The global shortage of cholera vaccines has worsened in recent years,
forcing the World Health Organization (WHO) to ration available
doses — underscoring the need for local production.
The vaccine will undergo trials at the Perinatal HIV Research Unit
(Wits PHRU) in Johannesburg, testing its safety and dosage.
If successful, later trials will expand to Durban and East London,
comparing results with the internationally used Euvichol-Plus
vaccine.
The project is expected to contribute to South Africa’s goal of
becoming a continental vaccine manufacturing hub, aligning with the
09:15
African Union’s target of producing 60% of all vaccines locally by
2030.
Full approval and rollout are anticipated by 2028–2029 if all trial
phases are successful.
