All You Need To Know About The Covid-19 Vaccine
Forbes Africa|December - January 2021
The complex world of Covid-19 vaccine trials explained.
Simone Sribrath
All You Need To Know About The Covid-19 Vaccine

Somewhere in the deep unexplored depths of Madagascar, an unknown herb is probably on its way to becoming a global panacea for the pandemic.

This is Africa, a continent ripe with possibilities, where you cannot rule out that a cure for Covid-19 could perhaps come from nature itself. Just like Madagascar, currently touting Artemisia Afra (umhlonyane in Nguni languages and previously used as an ingredient for treating malaria) as a potential cure for Covid-19, bigger economies like South Africa are also looking to the botanical world for answers. Its national Department of Basic Education has reassigned R15 million ($960,982) of its budget on Covid-19 interventions such as Artemisia. Nigeria has also made a move towards a more homeopathic approach, as a ministerial committee has been put in place to further examine the potential natural compounds hold in combating the Covid-19 pandemic.

But the focus of this story is exploring humanity’s race to uncover a universal vaccine – or any cure – that can assuage a health crisis confronting the entire world.

Currently, there are over 60 possible vaccines the world over being put through the paces. Of these, only nine are in the third phase of trials. The road to finding a Covid-19 vaccine since the start of the pandemic this year has been long and arduous. For the layperson, desperate to see an effective vaccine come online soon, the deluge of news on vaccine trials can seem complex. This article will discern the facts around them.

This story is from the December - January 2021 edition of Forbes Africa.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December - January 2021 edition of Forbes Africa.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM FORBES AFRICAView All
Down To Earth
Forbes Africa

Down To Earth

A new era in satellite technology offers space-down insight. Here are some fascinating world views.

time-read
5 mins  |
February - March 2024
Could A Digital Twin Save Your Life?
Forbes Africa

Could A Digital Twin Save Your Life?

Human digital twins are quickly moving beyond manufacturing and into the medical world advancing cancer care, soeeding up drug development, personalizing clinical trials, and much more.

time-read
4 mins  |
February - March 2024
The All-Rounder In Ecotourism
Forbes Africa

The All-Rounder In Ecotourism

An exclusive interview with renowned Kenya-born landscape architect and pioneer of sustainable tourism Hitesh Mehta. His other fascinating career? Representing East Africa and Kenya in first-class cricket and playing in three ICC World Cup tournaments in the late 1970s and 1980s.

time-read
5 mins  |
February - March 2024
Wheeler-Deeler
Forbes Africa

Wheeler-Deeler

Alex Bouaziz’s HR company became the fastest-growing software startup in Silicon Valley history by promising to take the pain out of overseas hiring. But in its rush to a $12 billion valuation, regulators worry it may have been cutting the very compliance corners it’s supposedly maintaining.

time-read
6 mins  |
February - March 2024
Culture Couture
Forbes Africa

Culture Couture

Niger designer Alia Baré, also the daughter of a former president, is working to weave together a positive narrative of her country through fashion.

time-read
5 mins  |
February - March 2024
'We Can Build A Real Unicorn Out Of Africa, Creating Impact'
Forbes Africa

'We Can Build A Real Unicorn Out Of Africa, Creating Impact'

Manish Sardana, the Nairobi-based co-founder of edtech startup Craydel, wants to democratize access to higher education in Africa and eradicate the study-abroad agent market.

time-read
10 mins  |
February - March 2024
A Record Year For Elections, 2024 Will Determine Global Geopolitics
Forbes Africa

A Record Year For Elections, 2024 Will Determine Global Geopolitics

We are all hopeful that 2024 will definitely bring better sense to people, particularly to those in power to make sincere amends to the lapses of the past.

time-read
8 mins  |
February - March 2024
For The Record
Forbes Africa

For The Record

A Brazilian producer and a Kenyan singer came together to create a song last year that sOared ujp music charts globally, and in collaborating With a an India-born director for the video, it is NOW a milestone for African sound.

time-read
4 mins  |
February - March 2024
The Best Game
Forbes Africa

The Best Game

SA20 Commissioner and former South African cricketer Graeme Smith on the ambition to create the biggest league outside of India, and why putting on a show off the pitch is as important to attract a new audience.

time-read
4 mins  |
February - March 2024
Cream Of The Crop
Forbes Africa

Cream Of The Crop

Food is the future and these proactive startups are focused on shifting agricultural practices to prepare for what is to come.

time-read
5 mins  |
February - March 2024