SARS-CoV-2 Variant Evaluation in Kenya (SAVE-K)

Charles Sande of the African Research Collaboration for Health (ARCH) in Kenya will build on their existing SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance work covering the six counties of Coastal Kenya to identify new SARS-CoV-2 variants and evaluate their sensitivity to existing vaccines. Daily naso- and oropharyngeal samples from suspected COVID 19 cases will be processed for PCR testing and genome sequencing to identify any new SARS-CoV-2 variants. They will then evaluate the potential impact of these new variants on the Kenyan population by measuring the neutralizing activity of antibody-containing plasma obtained from a cohort of vaccinated adults. Using established channels, they will rapidly communicate their results to local and national health ministries, and across the African continent, to inform pandemic control strategies. Selected samples will be preserved for future monoclonal antibody development to target new variants.