COVID-19 research in Africa

Abstract

When two French doctors recently discussed the ease of conducting clinical research on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in African nations, with an insinuation that ethical and safety standards for testing vaccines and treatments in these nations are lower than in other countries, anti-African research sentiments flared on social media and in news reports. Suggesting that clinical trial conduct is at a lower standard in Africa is unacceptable. Africa has innovated and implemented health solutions with high ethical regard for its people. In March, the Academy of Science of South Africa stressed the importance of research and development on COVID-19 in Africa as “key to the response to outbreaks of emerging and re-emerging pathogens.” The expertise and infrastructure of African clinical research sites, along with African nations' engagement of their communities who wish to contribute to effective solutions, are ready to be leveraged to tackle this pandemic emergency.