NBA approves HIV vaccine trial
(ZANIS) The National Bio-safety Authority –NBA- has approved a Human Immunodeficiency Virus –HIV- vaccine to be undertaken by the Centre for Health Research in Zambia -CFHRZ.
The NBA Board approved the vaccine trial permit application at an extraordinary meeting in Lusaka.
In a statement availed to ZANIS, NBA Chief Executive Officer LACKSON TONGA said the permit granted to CFHRZ is for conducting research trials in Zambia and is valid for three years, adding that the experimental medicine vaccine trial will be administered to people living with HIV.
Mr. TONGA explained that the Scientific Advisory Committee of NBA conducted a risk assessment of the vaccine and concluded that it poses low risks to human health and animals.
MEANWHILE, the NBA has issued 66 non-genetically modified organism certificates to companies exporting various grain commodities.
Mr. TONGA indicated that the Authority also intensified on the spot checks throughout the country and collected 152 samples of agriculture produce and products for testing and they were found to non-GMO.
He indicated that the authority further conducted 20 surveillances of which compliance levels were at 80 percent, adding that in its quest to improve compliance services and enhance client service, the NBA finalized some guidelines.
Mr. TONGA also disclosed that NBA issued 39 permits for products which may contain genetically modified organisms -GMOs in the year 2024 and of these, seven were for imports, while the rest were for placing GMO products on the market.
He explained that about 190,237 metric tons of mealie meal which may contain GMOs transited Zambia in 2024, mostly, to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mr. TONGA indicated that in the same period, NBA granted 52 Transit Permits compared to 64 in 2023.
