Kenyans are fuming over reports that UK Scientists are considering covid-19 vaccine trial in Kenya if the ongoing test in the UK fails.
On Thursday two volunteers were injected as the first human trial in Europe of a coronavirus vaccine begun in Oxford.
The two volunteers are among the first of more than 800 people recruited for the study.
Half of the volunteers will receive the Covid-19 vaccine while another half will receive a control vaccine which protects against meningitis but not coronavirus.
According to UK media reporting the design of the trial means volunteers will not know which vaccine they are getting although doctors will.
But the scientists are considering testing the vaccine in Kenya if the ongoing trial doesn’t give quick results.
BBC medical correspondent, Fergus Walsh made the revelation on BBC World Service, a comment that has attracted backlash among Kenyans.
Walsh said “We could be careful not to over promise because we are desperate for this vaccine to work but the team in Oxford have a really strong record going back 30 years. They have developed successful prototype vaccines against another type of coronavirus, MERS.
He said if the UK scientists who “have also developed vaccines against plague” including malaria “don’t get early quick results from the UK they are considering a trial in Kenya where the epidemic of the coronavirus will be on the rise.”
Walsh also said that “As far as i know, this vaccine is known to produce a strong anti-body response but that doesn’t necessarily equate to protection. And we are going to need many vaccines with dozens in development.
“Then we will need billions of doses and expect a huge debate over which countries and which groups of people get the vaccine first.”
Outrage over comments
But the comment of a potential testing of the covid-19 vaccine in Kenya got many Kenyans fuming. Some have expressed their anger on social media.
The French medics just mentioned Africa as a potential testing ground. Now a senior @BBCWorld journalist @BBCFergusWalsh thinks that Kenya should be a testing ground.
We are his guinea pigs. Idiot!! pic.twitter.com/vtkZkBV39c
— Robert Alai (@RobertAlai) April 24, 2020
Uhuru wont blink in selling the people with a few dime
— kunta kinte (@emmanuelkimtai8) April 24, 2020
That idiot there should listen to himself….we only have 203 active case yet the fool wants it tested here!
In UK they have well over 200,000 covid -19 cases both documented and undocumented due to the negligence of their prime minister @BorisJohnson
Ask @piersmorgan— OMOGAMBI BIRUNDU (@Omogambi_TM) April 24, 2020
Finding solution is everybody’s endeavor But test for a vaccine manufactured in France or elsewhere should be done on those citizens Not come to Africa for testing purpose, I say no
— Morrison Thuku (@sonachem) April 24, 2020
The being lab rats fine but where it pisses me most is the last comment on the big debate of who gets the vaccine first(thats if it is finally proven to work without effects on trials). In my opinion the countries of trials should also be the first to recieve the vaccine shots.
— kipK∆Z! (@philip_kazee) April 24, 2020
Did you hear him say if the vaccine is not successful in UK they will try on Guinea pigs in Kenya. Me I already have my natural antibodies they can keep that one in the UK where their dying in thousands
— Dash (@Dash19593907) April 24, 2020
It’s a trial…you don’t want to be a guinea pig my friend. The consequences might be worse than the Corona virus symptoms!
— Roselyne Muringo (@roselyne) April 24, 2020
Kenya is a cheap dumping ground for white supremacy. They demean Africa and see burden of black colour begging for help,knowledge and grants.
— African Ubuntu Philosophy and Black Power (@Danielcaptain64) April 24, 2020
There have been similar anger among Africans after two French scientists suggested that a Covid-19 vaccine trial should start from Africa.
Those comments were rejected by the WHO chief who is an Africa. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the comments as racist.
He said Africa will not be a testing ground for any vaccine and said the WHO will ensure that all vaccines are safe for use.
Source: Africafeeds.com
