Africa CDC Secures $1 Billion to Boost Vaccine Manufacturing
Currently, only five African countries—Egypt, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia—host companies that produce vaccines.
Lusaka, Zambia -The Africa Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has secured a significant funding boost to enhance vaccine manufacturing capabilities across the continent, writes Collins Mtika.
The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) has committed $1 billion to support African nations in scaling up vaccine production, aiming to reach 60% of local vaccine needs by 2040, up from the current 30%.
Currently, only five African countries—Egypt, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia—host companies that produce vaccines.
This limited production capacity has left Africa largely dependent on imports, exacerbating health disparities and hindering access to life-saving vaccines.
In response to these challenges, the Africa CDC has launched the Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM) initiative, aiming to strengthen Africa's vaccine manufacturing ecosystem and achieve the ambitious goal of producing 60% of the continent's routine immunisation needs by 2040.
"This funding from GAVI is a crucial step towards achieving vaccine self-sufficiency in Africa," remarked Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa CDC.
"By producing our own vaccines, we can ensure equitable access to these essential products and protect our communities from future pandemics."
Dr. Kaseya emphasised the significance of vaccine manufacturing for Africa's autonomy and development, stating, "Local manufacturing of vaccines is akin to the second independence of Africa after the colonial independence of the 1960s. We have the ambition to position Africa as a manufacturing hub because we believe the time has come for the world to hear from Africa and Africans themselves."
Zambia's Minister of Health, Sylvia Maseko, commended the Africa CDC's initiative, highlighting Zambia's success in achieving high vaccine acceptance rates.
"We have 75% to 80% vaccine acceptance rates, and we continue to work with traditional leaders and religious institutions to foster community support for vaccinations," she stated.
The upcoming third international conference on public health in Africa, to be held in Lusaka, Zambia, will further explore strategies for strengthening Africa's public health systems and achieving vaccine self-sufficiency.
The conference, themed "Breaking Barriers: Repositioning Africa in the Global Health Architecture," is expected to attract over 5,000 in-person delegates and 20,000 virtual attendees.
Africa's drive towards vaccine independence represents a pivotal step towards ensuring equitable access to healthcare and safeguarding the continent's health security.
With concerted efforts and continued support from partners like GAVI, Africa can break barriers and reposition itself as a global leader in public health innovation and manufacturing.