Trials of a recently developed coronavirus vaccine have started in Africa and Brazil.
The trial, using the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine, also known as AZD1222, was developed by Oxford University scientists, Clinical Trials Arena reports.
Volunteers in South Africa began receiving injections on Wednesday as the country reached 111,796 cases, according to the latest John Hopkins Coronavirus resource center data.
The study in South Africa is led by Witwatersrand University vaccinology professor Shabir Madhi who believes it is a "landmark moment."
"As we enter winter in South Africa and pressure increases on public hospitals, now more than ever we need a vaccine to prevent infection by COVID-19.”
In Brazil, 2000 health workers in Sao Paulo and 1000 people in Rio de Janeiro will be injected after Anvisa, the country's health regulator, approved the vaccine.
In the United Kingdom, over 4000 people have been enrolled in the trial, with another 10000 volunteers planned to join.
