Progress on vaccine manufacturing in Africa

Vaccine manufacturing in Africa has taken center stage at the ongoing International Conference on Public Health in Africa, currently being held in Kigali, Rwanda. The acting director at the Africa CDC, Dr. Ahmed Ogwell-Omer, emphasized the importance of this conversation for the continent. According to Dr. Ogwell-Omer, the conference provides a platform for African experts, researchers, and policymakers in the public health sector to discuss challenges and solutions within the continent itself. Previously, many professionals had to seek such platforms outside of Africa, making it both costly and challenging for young professionals to participate. By hosting the conference locally, the Africa CDC aims to facilitate discussions between seasoned senior researchers and young professionals, allowing for knowledge exchange and collaboration. One of the major focal points of the conference is vaccine manufacturing, a critical topic in the current global health landscape. Dr. Ogwell-Omer acknowledged that Africa may have started its efforts towards vaccine manufacturing later than some other regions, but emphasized that the continent is well positioned to accelerate progress by learning from past experiences. The Africa CDC is actively working to consolidate individual country initiatives into a coordinated effort through the Partnership for African Vaccine Manufacturing. This initiative involves identifying diseases that require vaccines, assessing countries' capacity for manufacturing vaccines, and securing markets for locally manufactured products. The Africa CDC's Saving Lives and Livelihoods program, supported by the Mastercard Foundation, is not only addressing immediate COVID-19 vaccination needs but also focusing on strengthening the broader health systems in Africa. By investing in vaccine manufacturing and reinforcing the Africa CDC as a continental institution, the initiative is laying a foundation for a resilient health system that can respond to various public health challenges, from COVID-19 to Ebola and other infectious diseases. Dr. Ogwell-Omer highlighted the interconnectedness of strengthening vaccine manufacturing, building capacity, and enhancing the overall health system in Africa. The Saving Lives and Livelihoods program exemplifies how partnerships can address systemic issues rather than individual diseases, ultimately leading to a more robust and effective public health infrastructure in the continent.