Global pharmaceutical firms should license production of COVID-19 vaccines in Africa rather than just do piecemeal contract deals, an African Union special envoy said on Thursday.
AU coronavirus envoy Strive Masiyiwa was speaking a day after Pfizer and BioNTech announced a "fill and finish" deal with South Africa's Biovac Institute under which it will carry out the final stages of vaccine manufacturing where the product is processed and put into vials. read more
Pfizer and BioNTech will handle drug substance production at their facilities in Europe. Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has called the arrangement "restrictive" and said much more is needed to support vaccine independence in Africa.
"We want to make clear to all suppliers ... if you want a long-term future with us now, you produce from Africa," Masiyiwa said.
Africa, which is battling a third wave of infections, has administered just 60 million vaccine doses in a population of 1.3 billion due to restrictions on shipments from vaccine producing nations like India.
Many African nations rely on global vaccine sharing scheme COVAX or donations from countries like China and India.
"For regions left behind in the vaccine race to be self- sufficient, they need access to all of the components of vaccine production," said Lara Dovifat, manager at MSF's access campaign, which is seeking equitable vaccine access.
Continue reading "Africa demands local production of COVID-19 vaccines"
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