Strategies for Improving Global Vaccine Access

Shocking #Mpox Vaccine Inequities: What Went Wrong and How to Fix It This map highlights the glaring inequities in vaccine distribution—where vaccines are available versus where they're desperately needed. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) asked for vaccines two years ago, but even though supplies were available, they didn’t get them. So, what happened? There’s plenty of blame to go around: ⚫ The U.S. government offered the DRC vaccines years ago, but because of regulatory red tape, the process stalled—even though the FDA and EMA had already approved the vaccines. ⚫ The DRC only recently approved the Jynneos vaccine, which is why they’re just now starting to get doses. ⚫ The WHO has been cautious when it comes to pre-qualifying and authorizing emergency use of vaccines. ⚫ Bavarian Nordic, the company that makes the Jynneos vaccine, hasn’t been very transparent or ethical in their pricing, which makes the vaccine unaffordable for many in Africa. So, what do we do now? First, WHO needs the resources to accelerate vaccine approval in health emergencies without waiting for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) declaration. While balancing safety and emergency access is crucial, more reliance on strict regulators like the FDA is essential. Second, the DRC and other African countries need to expand their regulatory capacities. Additionally, African nations should work more closely with strict regulators to share data and fast-track approvals. Third, the U.S. government should push Bavarian Nordic to price the Jynneos vaccine more affordably in Africa. Fourth, Bavarian Nordic needs to do the right thing and make these vaccines affordable in Africa—ASAP. Finally, GAVI should rely on strict regulators like the FDA and EMA and not wait for WHO pre-qualification. The bottom line? There’s plenty we can do to make sure vaccines are available quickly and affordably when they’re needed. We just need the political will and the resources to make it happen.

Delivering on #vaccine equity requires sustainable local manufacturing capacity in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) . We know the steps required to achieve to achieve this. What is needed now is bold political will and the financing to make it happen. In this week's The Lancet, Ole Kristian Aars explain three immediate actions policymakers can take: ✅ Governments that fund research and development can enact stronger equitable access provisions for LMICs as a condition of funding. ✅ Regulatory and procurement authorities in high-income countries can require access provisions for low-income countries as part of approval or purchasing processes. ✅ Purchasers can help stabilize new manufacturers by assuring product. For example, the Africa CDC has called on the Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to purchase 30% of its vaccine supplies from African manufacturers. Although the world was not ready for COVID-19, where there is a will there is a way on vaccine equity. Commitment to these actions, among others, should be included in the #PandemicTreaty. https://lnkd.in/dj_VUubf

Plant-based vaccines could expand access across Africa. Vaccines developed in plants instead of mammalian cell cultures offer an agile, low-cost technology that could boost local manufacturing and strengthen existing healthcare systems and future pandemic preparedness. Imperial College London. 30 January 2025 Excerpt: Vaccine manufacturing in plants is twice as fast as common traditional methods. This could enable researchers, manufacturers and health authorities to respond quickly to potential future pandemics and disease outbreaks    Note: Africa currently produces less than one per cent of the world’s total vaccine supply and countries on the continent are vulnerable to vaccine shortages and global supply chain disruptions. Local manufacturing would significantly improve access to vaccines and would buffer African countries against shocks to supply chains and the threat of shortages. The vaccine insight was published in new STEM Development Impact Memos (link enc.) authored by Imperial’s Professor Faith Osier, Chair in Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, and co-authors Tsepo Tsekoa from South Africa’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and David Jarvis from the Liselo Labs. An international team, brought together by Imperial-led Chanjo Hub, is working to take laboratory-scale plant-based vaccine manufacture into full-scale production. The Chanjo Hub, part of the UK Vaccines Network, funded by UK Research and Innovation, aims to build a network of development and manufacturing organizations in Africa that offer a range of platforms to rapidly respond to diverse pathogens and disease. The memo Vaccine Innovation in Africa (enc.) was launched at the 12th African Congress of Immunology Conference in Benin. Refer to enclosed announcement for links to discussion of proposed solutions to existing challenges.