With the number of infections and deaths rising daily across the world, there is an urgent need to find a solution to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Already, there is a race to find a vaccine that would prevent people from getting the virus. While experts have told us not to be too optimistic about the timeline when a vaccine will be found, there is at least hope in the corner that one would be found within the next 18 months.
The process of developing a vaccine is however controversial. For the COVID-19 effective to prove effective, it would have to be tested on willing patients.
In April, two French doctors faced a serious backlash that vaccines should be tested on Africans. After so much heat, the doctors had to apologize for suggesting that Africans be used as guinea pigs.
As vaccines are being worked on, there are many who are clamouring that Nigerians should not be involved in testing it.
With a history of mistrust between Nigerians and foreign pharmaceutical companies, it is not a surprise why there is a backlash.
However, if these vaccines are not tested on Nigerians, how would the experts come up with effective vaccines for us and Africans.
What do you think? Should Nigerians be used as testers for COVID-19 vaccines?