Search

The COVID-19 pandemic heralded unprecedented resource mobilisation and global scientific collaboration to rapidly develop effective vaccines. Regrettably, vaccine distribution has been inequitable, particularly in Africa where manufacturing capacity remains nominal. To address this, several initiatives are underway to develop and manufacture COVID-19 vaccines in Africa. Nevertheless, diminishing demand for COVID-19 vaccines, the cost competitiveness of producing goods locally, intellectual property rights issues, and complex regulatory environments among other challenges can undermine these ventures. We outline how extending COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing in Africa to include diverse products, multiple vaccine platforms, and advanced delivery systems will ensure sustainability. Possible models, including leveraging public-academic-private partnerships to enhance success of vaccine manufacturing capacity in Africa are also discussed. Intensifying research in vaccine discovery on the continent could yield vaccines that further bolster sustainability of local production, ensuring greater pandemic preparedness in resource-constrained environments, and long-term health systems security., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests SAM has received funding for research on vaccines from Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, Novavax, AstraZeneca, MSD, Gritstone, Sanofi, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and South African Medical Research Council. SAM, BDK, PA, PM, KN, and YEC are involved in a collaborative technology transfer programme with Dyadic on C1 fungal expression system. SAM, PLM, and YEC are supported by the South African Research Chairs Initiative of the Department of Science and Innovation and National Research Foundation of South Africa. All other authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)