The Production of vaccines, how they are made and how they work was the thrust during the 2nd edition of the Arthur Mbanefo Annual lecture series.
The lecture titled: ‘Covid-19 Vaccines Production: From Research and Development to Manufacturing’ was delivered by a renowned Microbiologist; Prof. Richard A. Adegbola, FAS
He defined vaccines as biological products which can prevent diseases that can be dangerous, or even deadly. He averred that there are broad range of different types of vaccines which often share common biological traits.
Prof. Adegbola who is a Consultant and Research Professor at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, and Independent Consultant in Immunisation and Global Health gave an overview of COVID-19 vaccines especially with regards to its production. He highlighted the three main approaches to making vaccines while pointing out the indispensability of bacterias or virus as part of ingredients often as protein or sugar.
The Guest Speaker emphasised that the active components of the vaccine, called antigens are what triggers the immune response when in the body.
Professor Richard Adegbola also reviewed a very important model and proved with graphical illustrations, the chain of manufacturing vaccines as well as sharing current global uptake, clinical phases of vaccines research, vaccines development timelines alongside other salient issues in his presentation.
Earlier, Special Guest of Honour and Deputy German Consul-General, Federal Republic of Germany to Nigeria, Mr. Ernst acknowledged the achievements of the University of Lagos within the shortest possible time with respect to Research. He assured of the goodwill and continued support of the Federal Republic of Germany through the Alexander Von Humboldt Foundation which affords UNILAG the opportunity to strengthen its relationship with Germany as a research location through international academic exchange.
The Director of the Centre for Genomics of Non-Communicable Diseases and Personalised Healthcare (CGNPH), Prof. Oluyemi Akinloye used the occasion to express his profound gratitude to the German Consular office as well as the University of Lagos for the unalloyed support towards the centre.
After the event, the Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe, FAS, led other top management staff amidst other dignitaries to the commissioning of the Genomics and Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory of the CGNPH.
Watch the Lecture below:
