Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 8th December 2023 –TheAfrica Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) hails the announcement by the Global Vaccine Alliance (GAVI) Board for 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.
This decision is historical and a concrete action to support the African Vaccine Manufacturing. AVMA is an innovative financing mechanism aimed at establishing a sustainable African vaccine manufacturing industry capable of improving the continent’s resilience in the face of pandemics, outbreaks, and other health emergencies as well as the health of global vaccine markets.
In 2021, the African Union Heads of States and Governments established The Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM) under the Africa CDC to deliver a bold goal: enabling the African vaccine manufacturing industry to develop, produce, and supply over 60 percent of the total vaccine doses required on the continent by 2040, up from less than 1 percent today (with interim goals of 10 percent by 2025 and 30 percent by 2030). Since then, thanks to collaboration; we have seen several vaccine manufacturing projects taking shape and others coming up; all of them with an objective of guaranteeing self-reliance of Africa should any health emergency or outbreak hit the continent.
Speaking after the announcement in Accra, Africa CDC Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya said: “Today is a significant moment for Africa by establishing the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator. The targeted USD 1 Billion from GAVI to African Manufacturers is a game changer for the continent and advances our efforts towards vaccine self-reliance. Africa CDC remains determined that Africa should produce its own vaccine and protect the lives of all Africans. The African Union has set a target for the continent to produce 60% of the vaccines needed on the continent by 2040; AVMA is indeed an accelerator towards that ambition. Amongst the Covid-19 lessons is working together is way forward embrace. GAVI has been an incredible partner in this, we will continue to advance together on this journey of self-reliance. Together, we are united with a mission for vaccine equity.”
“We are grateful for the incredible close collaboration with the African Union and Africa CDC over the last 18 months in support of our shared vision of a thriving, sustainable African vaccine ecosystem” said David Marlow, Interim CEO, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. “AVMA is an important step forward, sending a powerful signal to global markets that GAVI is serious about its efforts to support this vital initiative. We are committed to continued partnership as we work together towards the official launch of this mechanism in 2024.”
At the height of covid-19 pandemic, Africa struggled to access life saving vaccines due to reliance on supply coming from elsewhere. The lack of access to life saving vaccines evidenced the general issue of access to various health products that can only be addressed through investments for self-sufficiency on the continent. Africa’s New Public Health Order in its call to actions; stipulate the need to expand manufacturing of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
The Launch of AVMA is a powerful signal from our partners that Africa will no longer be a recipient in the vaccine supply chain, rather an active member and contributor to the global vaccine ecosystem. It also signals the support of the historic Addis Declaration on Immunization (ADI) which aimed to ensure that everyone in Africa regardless of who they are or where they live – receives the full benefits of immunization. AVMA will accelerate the race to reaching PAVM goal of 60% vaccines needed; manufactured here in Africa by 2040. Africa CDC is committed to work with all partners and stakeholders in the vaccine ecosystem to advance and facilitate the full operationalization of AVMA; a partnership that is bound to accelerate the attainment of health security as premised in the agenda 2063.