African Union Commission Applauds The Development And Initial Safety Compliance Of Possible Vaccinations

By Trevor Chueu
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Monday, 30 March 2015: Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), says that the initial safety compliance of two possible Ebola vaccinations, currently part of a clinical trial in Liberia, is a significant step forward in the eradication of the disease.

“I was particularly pleased to hear that the two vaccinations passed the initial safety compliance assessment. I commend the sponsorship provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a branch of the National Institutes of Health, for their dedication and commitment to seeking a solution that could potentially save thousands of lives in the months ahead.

The role of private business, and in this case the pharmaceutical companies responsible for developing the vaccinations, play a critical role in stopping this disease along with the public sector.”

“Although certain parts of the world appear to think that the epidemic is over, this is certainly not the case. The recent reoccurrences of the virus in Liberia and Sierra Leone is a firm indication that the fight against Ebola must continue, and that healthcare is to remain at the core of the developmental agenda across the continent and the globe,” concluded Dr. Dlamini-Zuma.

About #AfricaAgainstEbola:
The #AfricaAgainstEbola campaign is coordinated by the Africa Against Ebola Solidarity Trust, a registered charity, in partnership with the African Union. All donations made to the Africa Against Ebola Solidarity Trust will be used to train, equip and deploy African health workers in the fight against Ebola and to build long term local health capacity. In partnership with the African Union, our mission is to mobilize resources to send much-needed health workers – drawn from within Africa – to the Ebola-afflicted countries.

Under the operational coordination of the African Union Support to West Africa (ASEOWA), trained doctors and nurses will care for those infected, help contain the disease and strengthen local hospitals and care centers. Our vision is a resilient Africa that is able to respond effectively and rapidly in times of crisis.

Resource Mobilisation
The African Union recently introduced a campaign, #AfricaAgainstEbola, to mobilise citizens in the fight against the disease. SMS “Stop Ebola” to 7979 or visit the campaign's official website, http://www.africaagainstebola.org/ to donate $1 or for more information.