The South African New Agency has today announced the African countries to receive the technology from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to develop their own messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines. Among the countries that applied, Nigeria became one of the recipients, together with Egypt, Kenya, Senegal, and Tunisia.
The announcement was made at a joint conference hosted by the European Council, France, South Africa, and WHO. The WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, were among those who graced the occasion.
The first five countries mentioned are Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tunisia, and they will be supported by the mRNA Technology Transfer Hub based in South Africa. The mRNA Technology Transfer Hub is aimed at developing technologies and vaccines which could change the face of healthcare on the African continent.
“The global mRNA technology transfer hub was established in 2021 to support manufacturers in low- and middle-income countries to produce their own vaccines, ensuring that they have all the necessary operating procedures and know-how to manufacture mRNA vaccines at scale and according to international standards.”
Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, the WHO’s director-general, said the hub is already producing results, and the above-mentioned countries are expected to benefit from technology and knowledge exchange. It created its own mRNA vaccine using publicly available data on an existing vaccine’s composition. A clinical trial should begin this year and by projections, approval should be carried out by the FDA in 2024.
Dr Ghebreyesus emphasised that the hub isn’t just for the South Africans, but for the entire continent and the world at large. In a statement, President Ramaphosa explained that while vaccine donations from other countries remain “appreciated” on the continent, the continent wishes to grow its own resources and capacity to also develop Covid-19 vaccines.
“It is not acceptable that Africa is consistently at the back of the queue in relation to access to medicines. While we appreciate donations, they are not a sustainable way or mechanism to build resilience. Help to empower us. Let us tackle obstacles together and let us demonstrate to the world that Africa has the ability, the scientists and industries to provide the vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics needed to manage African health,” he said.
The President said African scientists and other healthcare practitioners are “willing, ready and prepared to work for their continent” and should be unleashed.
