Clinical trials for first locally made oral chole vaccine a glimmer of hope: GP Health

Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said the launch of clinical trials for the first locally made oral cholera vaccine brings hope amid efforts to prevent future outbreaks.

This comes in the wake of the 2023 cholera outbreak - which claimed more than 40 lives - mainly in Hammanskraal and surrounding areas of Tshwane.

The initiative, launched at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital on Tuesday, marks the start of phase 1 clinical trials to assess whether the new vaccine can effectively prevent cholera infection.

Nkomo-Ralehoko said local government is working closely with the Department of Water and Sanitation to ensure water safety to prevent future outbreaks.

"So definitely we will have clean water, but it doesn't mean that if we have that clean water because people travel if you heard the Minister earlier on, he said something sometimes people move. The movement of people can create the problems like this one of cholera. Those diseases can happen."