Wits pauses Covid-19 vaccine trial
Wits University has paused its vaccine trial after a participant in the United Kingdom leg of the trials by British drug maker AstraZeneca had become ill.
Wits together with AstraZeneca, Oxford University and the Jenner Institute have been running a trial of this particular potential vaccine in Gauteng and the Western Cape since June.
The university’s Professor Shabir Mahdi, who is leading the Ox1nCov19 trials in South Africa, says the Independent Data and Safety Monitoring Committee (DSMC) has recommended that all studies which they are overseeing pause further vaccination.
This to allow the DSMC to undertake a thorough review of the case in the UK.
“Pausing vaccination to review safety is evidence of the application of sound clinical practice and demonstrates the rigour of the independent oversight process under which this trial is being conducted,” says Mahdi.
“Assessing the safety of the vaccine is the reason why studies such as these are essential in South Africa before there is the widespread use of the vaccine.”
He says the trial volunteers have been notified of the decision and will be notified when the vaccination resumes.
"This decision will be based on the DSMC’s recommendation. Ensuring the safety of all our study participants is our highest priority.”
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