The World Health Organisation and South Africa have joined forces to accelerate the mass production of vaccines capable of tackling COVID-19, alongside its new variants, and also cure Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
According to a statement on the WHO website titled, ‘South Africa’s mRNA hub progress is foundation for self-reliance’, on Friday, the mass production of the vaccines would be achieved through WHO’s global mRNA vaccine technology transfer hub that would be built in South Africa.
This was disclosed when the WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, and South Africa’s cabinet members visited a number of public and private sector partners that are collaborating to develop and build WHO’s global mRNA vaccine technology transfer hub in the country on Friday.
They argued that the move had become imperative to bridge huge disparities in COVID-19 vaccine access, leaving billions of people – especially in low- and middle-income countries – unprotected against serious disease and death from COVID-19 in 2021
According to them, low levels of vaccine coverage also provided the ideal conditions for new variants to develop.
Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Blade Nzimande, South Africa’s Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, said that the pandemic has demonstrated the importance of investments in science and technology for innovations.
“Covid-19 has demonstrated the importance of investments in science, technology, and innovation. Therefore preparing for future pandemics is key and so the WHO mRNA global hub is a critical building block to ensure that South Africa and the whole continent has the production capacity that is essential for equitable vaccine rollout.
“The mRNA technology is not only for COVID-19, we hope it can be adapted to help us in the fight against HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, which is why we’re investing heavily, alongside international partners, in this initiative.”
On his part, the country’s Health Minister, Dr. Joe Phaahla, said that the central aim is to develop a training facility where mRNA technology is developed to the scale required for mass production of vaccines to multiple recipients in low- and middle-income countries.
“We’re not out of the woods yet and we are likely to be hit by new COVID-19 variants and a fifth wave that coincides with our winter season, which would compound our flu and cold season. However, we can reduce the impact by ensuring most people are vaccinated, especially the most vulnerable groups.
“The new hub is not just for South Africa, it provides a one-stop-shop for low- and middle-income countries across the world to benefit from the technology transferred, along with the know-how, so they can also produce mRNA vaccines, which is critical if we are to end vaccine inequity.”
In his contribution, the WHO director-general said, “The pandemic has highlighted the need for increased local production of vaccines globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
“The WHO mRNA global hub is a major step in that direction, by sharing technology and building on the capacity and scientific expertise that already exists in South Africa.”
Also, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director, Regional Office for Africa, said: “The mRNA hubs provide an unprecedented opportunity for capacity development, putting Africa on the path to self-reliance.
“This initiative will enable the continent to better protect against outbreaks, control the COVID-19 pandemic and develop new vaccines, accelerating the elimination of deadly diseases such as HIV, malaria and tuberculosis. We are opening the door to better health and wellbeing for our people.”
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