Reports from the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA)

World Leaders Commit $1.2 Billion in Paris to Boost Vaccine Production in Africa Post-COVID-19

Jun 20, 2024, 05:55 PM

World leaders have committed $1.2 billion to boost vaccine production in Africa, addressing the inequalities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative was announced at the Global Forum for Vaccine Sovereignty and Innovation in Paris, co-hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki, and Gavi board member Sania Nishtar. The forum also saw the launch of the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA), which aims to support vaccine production on the continent. Currently, Africa imports 99% of its vaccines at high costs. The new funding, with three-quarters coming from Europe, aims to produce vaccines locally and reach more children with essential inoculations against diseases such as cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, measles, and polio. The World Bank Group and leaders like David Cameron and Jose Manuel Barroso also participated in the forum, supporting the $1.1 billion project.