CSOs and government agencies meet to discuss vaccine manufacturing in Uganda

15 March 2024, 1:14 pm

Byamukama Alozious

As part of its Vision 2040 strategy, the African Union in partnership with the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention put in place the African Vaccine Manufacturing Framework for Action (FFA) which is designed to enable a sustainable vaccine-manufacturing industry in Africa to address this problem.

This was followed forming Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM) to strengthen the African vaccine manufacturing ecosystem and set Africa on the path to locally manufacture 60 percent of the continent’s routine immunization needs by 2040,”

This interesting initiative, led by Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) was to establish procurement mechanism for vaccines and other healthcare products which includes creating a robust market for manufacturers and ensuring the health security of all Africans

During the research dissemination launch by Afya na Haki and ARMA programme yesterday, Prof. Pontiano Kaleebu, the director Uganda Virus research Institute UVRI said Uganda’s journey has been stable ever since COVID19 and currently 5 vaccines are being worked on. “Ministry for Science Technology and Innovation has allowed us to venture into vaccine design, learn more about the regulatory processes and GMP processes the vaccines include a RVF being funded by UK MRC, COVID19 funded by Science Technology innovation, HIV mRNA vaccine funded by USAID/IAVI and more recently got funding from UK Innovate to work on the Cremean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever vaccine using our Chimp Adeno platform’’

Prof Kaleebu added that three of the vaccines have gone into mice studies and the next step if all goes well is to make GMP batches or seed stocks for human trials.

Dr. Mulumba Moses, director general Afya na Haki said there is a great need to invest in local manufacturing and reduce dependency on foreign aid. “We cannot overlook Covid19 in discussions about access to medicine. It has been a significant wake-up call, highlighting the need for us to begin manufacturing vaccines and medicines to meet the needs of our growing African population.” ~Dr. Mulumba Moses told participants

African gets 60% of her vaccines outside the continent which is nearly a quarter of the vaccines manufactured globally. ‘’We need to look into our own resources and not to wait foreign aid’’ Dr. Mulumba added

The ARMA currently is putting emphasis on identifying the potential interventions and the areas that need advocacy to influence policy formation and implementation at National, sub-regional and regional levels to achieve Vision 2040

 Dr.Daniel Kyabayinze, the director public health at the Ministry of health said addressing vaccine challenges requires development of robust business models, financial support, and strong national and regional coordination mechanisms. Dr.Kyabayinze pointed out that despite of challenges, progress is underway with over 30 vaccine manufacturing initiatives across the continent moving us towards the goal set by the African Union to supply 60% of its vaccine needs by 2040.

However, this effort to accelerate manufacturing demands significant support and investment in the following critical areas: Facilitate Knowledge Exchange, Strengthen Capacity, Advocate for Policy Support: through policy advocacy and Foster Partnerships “As we embark on this journey, concerted efforts are paramount, by mobilizing resources, fostering collaboration, and driving positive change, we can build a healthier, more resilient future for Africa and the world’’ Dr Kyabayinze added

The minister in-charge of ICT Monica Musenero Musanza Uganda National Drugs Authority has some registered manufacturing companies in producing 173 pharmaceutical products that include pain killers, antibiotics, cough and cold syrups, allergy products, creams and ointments.

She added that Africans must overcome is mindset barrier, ‘’we need to believe it is possible for us to do this and start manufacturing our own vaccine’’.