Thread by @LLopezGonzalez

Africa CDC Director John Nkengasong speaking: "We should feel very encouraged that despite the many challenges we are seeing in this pandemic... the next time a pandemic comes around, Africa will be in a very different position to fight that pandemic."

Nkengasong says Rwanda, Egypt, Senegal & Morroco have all expressed interest in or are moving towards local #COVID19 vaccine production. South Africa continues to do some aspects of COVID-19 vaccine production & firms say they are willing to partner with other countries.

Countries have already begun filling out self-assessment questionnaires about their readiness to possible produce #mRNA vaccines in Africa following the Africa CDC's April meeting on local production.

"Up until #COVID19 , #mRNA vaccines focused on small patient groups. Production costs for the vaccines were significantly greater than for other types of vaccines," says Ryan Morhard, of Ginkgo Bioworks, which is looking at reducing cost of raw materials, improving efficiency

What does Africa need to produce #mRNA vaccines? Skill transfers & willing partners critical, says Aspen Pharmacare's Stavros Nicolaou. Local producers will need sustainable & secure volumes. Global vaccine procurement will have to re-orientate to incl African producers. #COVID19

Why is #mRNA attractive to African producers? The vaccines do not require the growth of biologics, Nicolaou explains, and can be produced in part thru modular “plug & play” production processes in sterile facilities. #COVID19

A local production strategy for Africa should also include monoclonal antibodies, which are currently being used to treat #covid19 . Skilled Human Resources & strengthening / optimising regulatory bodies on the continent remain challenges.

Africa CDC strategies are guiding some groups' outreach to manufacturers on the continent who lack experience with #mRNA but have cold chain, regulatory experience. We may see local mRNA vaccine manufacturing on the continent as early as late next year say some experts. #COVID19

Afrigen & Biovac’s proposal for South Africa to host the WHO’s first regional #mRNA Technology Hub for #Africa beat out nearly 50 other applications. Here’s what the initial phases of the hub’s work looks like. #COVID19

Pfizer has partnered with Algeria's Ministry of Health to help train new scientists in the country with hopes of improving the workforce for future local vaccine production. The pharmaceutical company plans similar partnerships in other African countries. #mRNA #COVID19 #Africa

Pfizer continues to look at developing #covid19 vaccines that do not require ultra low cold chain requirements for markets in Asia and Africa, for instance.

In one slide: Here's what the #Africa CDC thinks countries will need to do local #vaccine manufacturing for #COVID19 & beyond.