Vaccine development and clinical trials are a key research priority for COVID-19 in Africa. Voluntary clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines have taken place in Kenya and South Africa. Testing vaccines in Africa ensures that data is generated on the safety and efficacy of promising vaccines for the African population.

These are not the first vaccines to be tested in Africa, with vaccines like the conjugate meningitis A and Ebola vaccines being tested on the continent before rollout.

All clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines are voluntary. Hundreds of thousands of people have been involved in clinical trials around the world, which has provided crucial data to help make sure that COVID-19 vaccines work.