Coronavirus - Africa: Statement of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention on the Potential Clinical Trial of a Tuberculosis Vaccine Protective Against COVID-19 in Africa
COVID-19 is a global humanitarian crisis that requires global actions and global solidarity
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, April 9, 2020/ --
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)
strongly condemns the very disgusting comments made by Professors
Jean-Paul Mira and Camille Lotch on French Television on using Africans
for testing a tuberculosis vaccine in clinical trials to see if it is
protective against COVID-19. These racist and condescending comments
must be condemned by all decent human beings. Indeed, COVID-19 is a
global humanitarian crisis that requires global actions and global
solidarity.
Africa CDC will continue to work very closely with the World Health
Organization (WHO) to ensure that only ethically and scientifically
sound clinical trials for vaccines and therapies will be conducted in
Africa, using exactly the same standards and principles as those
employed elsewhere in the world. These principles will be guided by
respect for the dignity of Africans, the beneficence and
non-maleficence, and justice. As such Africa CDC will ensure the
following:
First, only studies that are valid scientifically shall be endorsed.Second, we shall ensure that there is appropriate balance between
the predictable risks and foreseeable benefits, with the proviso that
the interests of subjects are not subordinate to those of science and
society.Third, we shall ensure that all individuals consent to participate
in any trials; a decision that must be made without duress or coercion
and only after details of the study are provided. Fourthly, Africa CDC will ensure that if multi-country clinical
trials in Africa are conducted, they hold the promise of direct,
tangible and significant benefit to the continent.
Professors Mira and Lotch have no lessons to teach Africa on the conduct of scientifically sound clinical trials. Africans have extremely
capable world-renowned scientists who have played critical leadership
roles in conducting clinical trials that have benefited the continent
and beyond. Some examples include the leadership of African scientists
in conducting an effective Ebola Virus Disease ring vaccine trial in
West Africa in 2014, which proved a game changer in ending the outbreak. Similarly, last year, experts from the Democratic Republic of Congo,
alongside international collaborators, successfully carried out a
clinical trial of Mab 114 monoclonal antibody therapy for Ebola Virus
Disease.
As we have also seen with this COVID-19 pandemic, only collective
international cooperation through a collaborative and respectful
approach can succeed in the conduct of sound research that will benefit
the whole of humanity.
The African Union Commission, through the Africa CDC will continue to
work with all partners in the framework of the continent-wide joint
strategy and the African Taskforce for Novel Coronavirus to support
preparedness and response by African Union Member States to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr John Nkengasong
Director, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
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