COVID-19: The role of next-generation vaccines in immunity

Posted in: COVID-19, Healthcare system, Latest, Science

Indications are that the virus that causes COVID-19 is going to continue evolving and escaping the protection against infection people already have. Researchers are working on next-generation vaccines tailored to fight off specific versions of the virus, like the Omicron sub-lineages BA.4 and BA.5. But can these new vaccines be tested and produced fast enough to keep up with the rapidly changing virus? Aisha Abdool Karim asked some local experts.

Trial of potentially variant-proof vaccine ongoing in Western Cape

Posted in: COVID-19, Latest

An experimental COVID-19 vaccine currently in Phase I trials being run by the University of Cape Town has a unique design that might allow it to offer better protection against current and future variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Elri Voigt provides an update on the trial and unpacks the science behind this vaccine candidate.

COVID-19: Understanding immunity and what it means for a vaccine

Posted in: Latest

Immunity to COVID-19 is much more interesting and much more complicated than simply something you do or do not have. Kathryn Cleary spoke to two experts about what we know about COVID-19 immunity and the implications of that for antibody testing and the development of vaccines.