DSTI seeks stronger partnerships to advance local vaccine manufacturing
On 6 November, the Director-General of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Mlungisi Cele, visited the Biovac facility in Cape Town. Biovac is a biopharmaceutical company established in 2003 through a partnership with the South African government to develop local vaccine manufacturing capacity in support of national health management and security.
The engagement focused on the role of local vaccine development and manufacturing in strengthening South Africa's health security, reducing dependence on imported vaccines and advancing Africa's capacity to respond to infectious disease threats.
Dr Cele reaffirmed the Department's commitment to supporting the development of a sustainable vaccine manufacturing ecosystem in the country.
"The Minister is committed to ensuring that South Africa develops and strengthens its vaccine manufacturing capabilities. We must continue working towards refining our national vaccine manufacturing strategy, which is at an advanced stage.
"We hope that this strategy will assist us in mobilising the necessary resources, both locally and internationally, to build the capabilities required. We also call on Biovac to participate in this process and support it.
"Our expectations from this visit are to learn more about Biovac, understand the opportunities available and explore solutions the Department can support," said Dr Cele.
Biovac CEO, Dr Morena Makhoana, highlighted the importance of developing vaccine manufacturing capabilities in Africa, particularly in view of the continent's disproportionate burden of infectious diseases and its continued reliance on imported vaccines.
"Approximately 25% of the global infectious disease burden is found in Africa, yet the continent imports close to one billion vaccine doses annually. Only about 1% of the vaccines used in Africa are manufactured on the continent. This illustrates the urgent need to build and strengthen our local manufacturing capabilities."
He said Biovac was established to contribute towards making South Africa and the rest of Africa more self-reliant in vaccine development and manufacturing, guided by its commitment to "the science of protecting life".
"Africa's ambition, as articulated through the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, is to manufacture 60% of the vaccines it needs by 2040. Achieving this target will require sustained investment, strong partnerships, technology transfer and the development of a capable vaccine manufacturing ecosystem across the continent," said Dr Makhoana.
He emphasised that institutions such as Biovac have an important role to play in building the scientific, technological and manufacturing capabilities required to strengthen Africa's health security and reduce its vulnerability to global supply disruptions.
