Bloom Public Health, in collaboration with the Biotech Training Facility in the Netherlands, recently hosted a highly successful and enlightening webinar titled “African Vaccine Academy: A New Generation Takes Charge.” The event, which drew experts, stakeholders, and thought leaders from across Africa, focused on the urgent challenges facing vaccine manufacturing on the continent, as well as potential solutions to strengthen local vaccine production.
The webinar is part of the African Vaccine Academy’s ongoing efforts to enhance Africa’s health security through self-reliance in vaccine manufacturing. The session brought to light various issues impeding vaccine production in Africa, from logistical challenges in supply chains to limited access to raw materials, intellectual property restrictions, and the pressing need for better infrastructure and technical expertise in the field.
A call for localized vaccine production
The webinar’s central theme revolved around the necessity of developing a robust, localised vaccine production system to ensure that Africa can respond independently and effectively to its health challenges. The discussion underscored the urgent need for African countries to reduce dependency on foreign vaccine manufacturers and instead focus on building the continent’s own vaccine production capacity.
Moderating the event, Senior Programme Manager, Bloom Public Health, Pharm. Olutoun Sanusi-Oladunni, kicked off the webinar with an insightful introduction about the African Vaccine Academy and our partner, Biotech Training Facility, setting the stage for the presentation by the speakers, as well as panelists.
Speaking on the webinar and the significance of the partnership with Biotech and the African Vaccine Academy, Prof. Chimezie Anyakora, CEO of Bloom Public Health, emphasised the critical role of the African Vaccine Academy in this process. He noted that the academy is dedicated to enhancing vaccine education, strengthening local capacity in vaccine research and production, and establishing a sustainable framework that can address the continent’s public health needs. According to Anyakora, the academy’s mission is to create a new generation of vaccine professionals who will help drive Africa’s vaccine manufacturing efforts forward.
“The African Vaccine Academy is committed to nurturing a new generation of vaccine researchers, developers, and manufacturers across Africa,” said Prof. Anyakora. “Our goal is to build localized expertise and ensure that the continent can produce vaccines in response to its own health challenges. This is crucial for achieving health sovereignty and equity for all Africans.”
Cohort 2.0 presentations: Regional insights
One of the key highlights of the webinar was the African Vaccine Academy Cohort 2.0 presentations, where speakers from different African regions shared valuable insights into the unique challenges faced by their respective areas in advancing vaccine manufacturing. These regional perspectives shed light on the specific hurdles that each region must overcome to boost vaccine production.
Speakers emphasised the importance of developing localized knowledge and capacity in vaccinology. They also highlighted the need for investment in education, infrastructure, and the development of skilled professionals who can address the continent’s vaccine production needs. From East Africa to West Africa, the speakers provided concrete examples of how various regions are tackling the challenges of vaccine manufacturing.
Expert panel discussion: Addressing key challenges
Following the presentations, the webinar featured an expert panel discussion, where key industry leaders addressed some of the most pressing challenges facing vaccine manufacturing in Africa. The panel included Ronald Kompier, CEO of the Biotech Training Facility, and Jolanda Muurman, Bioscience QA Consultant at the Biotech Training Facility, who both shared their expertise on training, infrastructure development, and the role of global partnerships in strengthening Africa’s vaccine production capabilities.
Kompier and Muurman emphasised the need for a strategic approach to vaccine production, one that includes developing local expertise through training programs and fostering stronger partnerships between African nations and global health organizations. They also discussed the importance of improving the quality assurance and regulatory frameworks necessary for manufacturing safe, effective vaccines.
Dr Adaora Odis, a key panelist, offered a thought-provoking discussion on the issue of vaccine hesitancy. She stressed the importance of community engagement and trust-building to ensure that African populations are receptive to vaccines. According to Dr Odis, overcoming vaccine hesitancy is a vital step in ensuring the success of vaccine manufacturing efforts across the continent.
Dr Courage Chandipwisa, another panelist, focused on leadership and governance, stressing the critical role of visionary leadership in driving Africa’s vaccine manufacturing efforts forward. He pointed out that strong leadership is needed to navigate the challenges of scaling up vaccine production and to ensure that vaccine manufacturing initiatives align with broader public health goals.
African Vaccine Academy: A vision for the future
The African Vaccine Academy (AVA) is an initiative established by Bloom Public Health in partnership with the Biotech Training Facility. The academy aims to nurture a new generation of vaccine professionals who can drive the development of locally-produced vaccines across Africa. By addressing gaps in vaccine research, production, and distribution, the academy seeks to strengthen Africa’s health security and ensure that the continent is self-sufficient in vaccine manufacturing.
In addition to its focus on education and training, the academy is committed to building partnerships with both African and international organisations to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing. This approach is designed to support the creation of a sustainable vaccine production ecosystem across the continent.
Bloom Public Health’s role in public health innovation
Bloom Public Health was founded with the vision of creating African-driven solutions to the continent’s pressing public health issues, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector. With a presence in six African nations, Bloom Public Health serves as a leading think tank that brings together some of the most innovative minds in public health. The organisation works to design and implement interventions tailored to the specific needs of African communities.
Through its work in pharmaceutical quality systems, laboratory strengthening, diagnostics, and supply chain management, Bloom Public Health is contributing to Africa’s efforts to address critical gaps in healthcare infrastructure. The organization’s partnerships with global stakeholders further strengthen its capacity to mobilize the right skills and resources to meet the continent’s public health needs.
As Bloom Public Health continues its mission to empower Africa’s health systems, the African Vaccine Academy stands at the forefront of the continent’s journey toward health sovereignty and vaccine self-sufficiency.
