Bloom Public Health has reiterated its commitment towards strengthening the local pharma manufacturing sector in Nigeria through the transfer of technical knowledge and expertise with the unveiling of its Vaccine Academy webinar billed to take place on Thursday, 14 December, 2023.
According to the information made available to pharmanewsonline.com by the Programme Manager, Pharm. (Mrs) Olutoun Sanusi-Oladunni, the project is aimed at bridging the gap of Africa’s dependency on other continents for vaccines as evidenced by the COVID-19 experience.
“We at Bloom Public Health believe that Africa has the potential to become self-sufficient in vaccine production, and the Vaccine Academy is our key step towards achieving this goal. We believe that Africa needs to break free from its reliance on imported vaccines.
“The Vaccine Academy aims to do just that by empowering professionals and institutions to develop and manufacture vaccines right here, on African soil. We aim to offer comprehensive training, from understanding vaccine science to mastering the intricacies of production”, she said.
Beyond providing local manufacturers the opportunity to leverage on the technical knowledge, the Vaccine Academy will disseminate amongst professionals in the local vaccine manufacturing sector,the project will also lead to the creation of job opportunities, as pharmacists, scientists and medical professionals would be engaged in the local vaccine production process towards stimulating innovation and growth within and beyond the entire local vaccine manufacturing value-chain.
“The academy will equip individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to work in various aspects of vaccine manufacturing, from research and development to production and quality control. This will create a pool of skilled professionals who can drive the growth of the local vaccine industry.
“By equipping pharmacists, scientists, and public health professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills, we envision a future where Nigeria and Africa as a whole can produce its own vaccines. This will not only ensure a more reliable supply but also create jobs, boost the economy, and ultimately save lives”, she added.
Sanusi-Oladunni said there are also plans to promote collaboration and knowledge exchange between researchers, manufacturers, and policymakers in order to foster an environment of innovation and drive advancements in vaccine technology tailored for Africa's needs.
On the perennial dependence on India and China for APIs, she said the gap is also an opportunity for growth and innovation which Bloom Public Health has seen and is working hard to utilise for the development of Nigeria and Africa’s vaccine production capacities.
She said, “We acknowledge this dependence as a challenge, but we also see it as an opportunity. This requires collaboration with international partners and investment in research and development, both of which are key components of the academy's strategy.
“While we equip individuals with manufacturing expertise, we also advocate for policies that encourage local API production. We believe that collaboration between governments, researchers, and private companies can pave the way for self-sufficiency.
“We envision a future where Africa is not only self-sufficient in vaccine production but also a leader in the global vaccine industry. By empowering Africa to produce its own vaccines, we can ensure the health and well-being of millions. This is what drives us and motivates us to continue working towards this noble goal”, she concluded.
Pharmacy, public health, natural sciences and chemical engineering students are enjoined to join the webinar.
