The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the African Union have pledged their full support for the upcoming Gavi 2024 African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator event.
The Africa CDC stated in a Sunday announcement that the AVMA inauguration, set to take place on June 20 in Paris, France, will offer financial incentives to assist African vaccine manufacturers in expanding production and achieving long-term sustainability.
They emphasized Gavi’s crucial role as a partner in enhancing health security and resilience against vaccine-preventable diseases in Africa.
Gavi’s investments of US$11.9 billion from 2000 to 2022 have significantly improved access to life-saving vaccines in Africa, preventing 11.1 million potential deaths on the continent.
Gavi is set to introduce a groundbreaking commitment of US$1 billion over the next decade through a new AVMA initiative aimed at strengthening African health security and sovereignty.
The statement partly read, “This week, the Gavi board approved a 5-year new alliance strategy 2026-2030 which will be focusing on accelerating vaccine coverage, introducing new vaccines, strengthening health systems for equity, and supporting global health security and regional vaccine manufacturing.
“As a public-private partnership, Gavi is funded through replenishment events hosted by donor governments to mobilize support from governments, philanthropies, the private sector, various institutions, civil society organizations, and individuals.
“In a show of commitment and support as the continent is the primary beneficiary of Gavi funds, Africa CDC and the African Union and African member states stand ready to fully support the 2024 replenishment holding in France”.
The upcoming 2024 replenishment meeting will showcase Gavi’s commitment to backing Africa’s push for local manufacturing, a crucial agenda supported by African leaders and championed by the Africa CDC’s Platform for Harmonized Health Manufacturing in Africa.
Emphasizing the value of collaborative efforts, Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, stressed the need for respectful partnerships to drive progress .
She highlighted: “Local manufacturing is the second independence of Africa because it impacts our health security and economic growth.
“Additionally, Africa CDC will spearhead the Lusaka agenda to strengthen national leadership and partner coordination for effective implementation of the One Plan, One Budget, and one M&E Framework.
“In recognition of AVMA’s significance to Africa, the popular launch of AVMA will occur on African soil in the coming weeks.
“It will bring together African leaders, Gavi, donors, partners, African Civil Society Organisations, and communities to reflect on and celebrate the journey toward Africa’s self-reliance in vaccine manufacturing, therapeutics, and diagnostics.
“Together, we stand on the brink of a new era for Africa’s self-reliance in health security, driven by innovation, partnership, and a shared vision for a safer, healthier, and more prosperous Africa”.
