WHO announces first tech recipients of mRNA vaccine hub

WHO announced the first six countries that will receive the technology to produce mRNA vaccines.

Today, at the EU – African Union summit in Brussels, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, announced the first countries to receive the tech for mRNA vaccines. These countries are Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tunisia.

The announcement was at a ceremony hosted by the European Council. Attendees were President Macron, the President of the European Council, President Ramaphosa, Charles Michel, and the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

Overview of the WHO decision and technology support

The global mRNA tech transfer hub established in 2021 supports manufacturers in low-income countries to produce their vaccines. It ensures that they have all the necessary operational procedures to manufacture mRNA vaccines according to international standards.

The hub can boost manufacturing capacity for other products as well. It allows these countries to produce vaccines and other products they need to handle their health priorities.

Depending on the workforce, infrastructure, clinical research, and regulatory capacity, WHO and partners will work with the beneficiary countries. They aim to develop a roadmap and set the necessary training. It will support making vaccines as soon as possible.

WHO Director said that the current pandemic showed that depending on a few companies to supply global goods is dangerous. The best way to address health crises is to significantly increase the capacity of all regions to manufacture the health products they need.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said that this initiative would allow them to make their vaccines which is very important.

President Emmanuel Macron said that improved public health benefits and economic development are the main goals of supporting local production in Africa. He added that they need more robust and new partnerships between countries, partners, and other stakeholders.