In an exclusive interview with OFM's Shandor Potgieter, the Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, Francis Petersen, says a group of scientists at the university are working with other universities to see if they might be able to develop such a vaccine. 

He says this vaccine, which could take up to at least 12-18 months to develop, contains scientific work which includes modelling and forecasting, among others, before they could initiate what is termed human trials or any other trails. He adds that a facility at the university, called Farmovs, would be utilised for such trials and that this specialty full service clinical research organisation is currently involved with the World Health Organisations (WHO) and other 45 countries across the globe for this scientific work. Petersen says the efforts, which began a couple of months ago to try and develop this vaccine, is in the early stages.

"Hopefully, with some input of some universities in South Africa and other parts of the world, we would be able to generate something that is effective to counter this terrible disease very quickly, and very, very soon, " Petersen adds. 

On Monday night, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced despite the increase in the number of infections he was inspired by the gross rate. Mkhize said so far about 4 357 patients have recovered across the country. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are currently 4 058 252 of confirmed cases worldwide and 281 736 confirmed deaths across the globe.

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