The Mastercard Foundation and the Institut Pasteur de Dakar have pledged $45 million to help Africa become independent in the production of vaccines.
According to a joint release, the cooperation, named “Manufacturing in Africa for Disease Immunization and Building Autonomy,” aims to create and grow a top-tier labor force to support vaccine production.
It was further stated that a center of excellence for training would be built to provide gifted youth, particularly young women, with specialized training in vaccine research, development, manufacture, and distribution.
By 2040, there will be a demand for between 9,000 and 14,000 full-time workers in Africa, according to Dr. Jean Kaseya, director-general of the African CDC.
“The African Union and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have jointly called for a new public health order that will protect the continent’s health and economic security as it works to realize Agenda 2063’s goals. This vision’s expansion of local production of pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and vaccinations is one of its main tenets.
Currently, less than 1% of the vaccines given across the continent are made locally. The ability of African nations’ health systems to respond to pandemics and other health crises is diminished by this heavy financial burden.
Amadou Sall, the Chief Executive Officer of IPD, adding that the collaboration between IPD and the Mastercard Foundation would promote the growth of human capital for biomanufacturing in Africa.
Reeta Roy, president and chief executive officer of the Mastercard Foundation, stated that the partnership would also improve the lives of young people in Africa.
