The World Health Organisation (WHO) said rapid sharing of genetic sequencing data is helping it to fast track the process of getting a vaccine for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
The organisation also hailed Nigeria for being part of the rapid data sharing of genetic sequencing data stating that such response is needed globally to ensure it gets a vaccine to remedy the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking on Monday at the daily Presidential Task Force press conference in Abuja, the officer in charge WHO Nigeria and member of the PTF Fiona Braka said, “Research is going on globally to study the genetics of the virus and by studying the genetics of the virus this helps us to develop a vaccine”.
“Thanks to rapid sharing of genetic sequencing data from various countries, we are able to advance the production of the vaccines and we do applaud the contributions of countries in sharing a genetic sequencing data and Nigeria is part of that global effort.
“As I mentioned in the last briefing, we have about 89 drugs that are under vaccine development and the numbers keep getting updated because there is an accelerated process going on globally to find a vaccine.
“It takes years to develop a vaccine but with the accelerated response globally from researchers, we are hopeful with an expedited process, we are looking at 12 to 18 months before the vaccine product would probably be available. Once that product is available, then there is a process to produce in large quantities for global supply.”
Speaking on breaking the cycle of transmission, the WHO official said, “We are optimistic, but in the meantime when we don’t have a vaccine, the strategies of breaking the cycle of transmission and how do we do that is by testing, isolation and quarantine to break the cycle of transmission.”
“In addition to that, the non-pharmaceutical interventions which is what we have been advising the government on hand washing and cleaning get of contaminated services and sneezing etiquette remain critical in a comprehensive manner in breaking the cycle of transmission as appropriate vaccine is being awaited for.
Osagie Ehanire, Nigeria ‘s minister of health also confirmed that the federal government is involved in lots of research and solutions to the pandemic.
“There are people who have brought proposal for treatment both for orthodox and traditional and we have directed to various sources for evaluation”
He said, “We have the Nigerian Institute of Pharmaceutics Research and they have been doing wonderfully well and they have 11 products for handling sickle cell anaemia.”
“They have in fact a sickle cell drug that they have licenced out for mass production and developed from plant sources.
