TAMPA, Fla. — TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Ten universities, including the University of Central Florida, and research institutions in Florida have been awarded grants to speed up development of a Zika vaccine, devise new testing methods and study the long-term impacts of the mosquito-borne virus.
Gov. Rick Scott announced the 34 grant awards Wednesday in Tampa. The grants are funded through $25 million that Scott authorized last year for Zika research and vaccine development.
Proud to announce the recipients of grant funding for important Zika virus research and vaccine development. https://t.co/AXT2qiVgWu
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) February 1, 2017
The state's surgeon general, Dr. Celeste Philip, said in a statement that Florida can't relax its efforts to fight the Zika virus during the current winter reprieve from mosquitoes.
According to a statement from Scott's office, the University of Miami received the largest grant award: over $13 million for Zika test and vaccine development, as well as studies of the virus' effects in children and pregnant women.
The following organizations received grant funding awards:
Florida Atlantic University – $199,280
Florida International University – $2,183,004
Florida State University – $2,169,675
Moffitt Cancer Center – $199,280
Nova Southeastern University – $198,886
The Scripps Research Institute – $199,280
University of Central Florida – $1,297,817
University of Florida – $2,922,999
University of Miami – $13,170,784
University of South Florida – $2,458,995
We must remain vigilant and continue to do everything we can to help protect pregnant women and their developing babies from the Zika virus.
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) February 1, 2017
Associated Press