Jumoke Olasunkanmi
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has commended the recent decision by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to invest $1.8 billion to support the production of vaccines in Africa to bolster protection against vaccine preventable diseases in the continent.
Gavi made this decision on December 7, during a board meeting in Accra, Ghana, where it announced the establishment of the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA), a financing project that will provide up to $1 billion to support sustainable Vaccine Production in Africa.
“Gavi’s Board today approved the establishment of the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA), a financing instrument that will make up to US$ 1 billion available to support sustainable vaccine manufacturing in Africa.
”More than US$ 1.8 billion in support for African vaccine manufacturing, catching up missed children and pandemic preparedness approved as Gavi Board steps up efforts to tackle backsliding and fight health emergencies,” it stated.
According to the WHO, this initiative came at the right time as the sub-Saharan African region has witnessed a setback in immunisation coverage, with the number of African children missing routine vaccinations increasing from 6.2 million in 2019 to 7.8 million in 2022. This translates into 2.8 million zero-dose children from 2019 to 2022 cumulatively.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, also noted that the establishment of the AVMA will reinforce efforts towards local vaccine manufacturing and address vaccine equity gaps.
“The pandemic highlighted beyond any doubt the critical importance of vaccination as a public health tool. This decision by the Board of Gavi will contribute significantly to saving lives and livelihoods identified during the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.
Commending Gavi’s efforts, Dr. Moeti noted that it is in accordance with the WHO’s focus on protecting the next generation, particularly zero-dose children strengthen regional and country capacities in immunization, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
“For us at WHO, serving about a billion people in 47 African countries, we welcome the opportunity to strengthen our ongoing collaboration with Gavi, Africa CDC, and other partners to translate this latest commitment into action towards ending diseases in Africa.”
