Federal government has taken steps to reduce vaccine importation and expedite local manufacturing as it reviewed and validated the draft National Plan for Vaccine Research and Development (R&D) and production in Nigeria.
The plan, which was developed in 2021, is the first of its kind in Africa and it highlights the roles of the relevant stakeholders in the vaccine landscape.
At the review and validation meeting organised by the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) in Abuja, the minister of state for health and social welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the efforts of the federal government over the years to commence local vaccines production is yielding the expected results.
Represented by Dr. David Atuwo, the minister said the meeting was timely as it provided critical stakeholders and policy-makers the opportunity to address emerging healthcare issues, as well as enhance the entry of the pharmaceutical sector into the larger African market.
He said the review and validation of the Draft Roadmap would fast-tract the achievements of the vaccine policy objectives of the federal government.
On the government’s level of preparation to start local vaccine manufacturing, the minister said, “Despite the various challenges militating against local production of vaccines, I want to state that appreciable progress has been achieved in these past few years.
“Nigeria has recently attained Maturity Level Three (ML3) for regulatory oversight and this includes the area of vaccines.
“With this and other ongoing reforms in the health sector, vaccines produced as a result of this process will not only satisfy national needs, but will also be available for international procurement.”
“Whilst the government is taking steps to provide the needed infrastructure for the implementation of local vaccines’ production, it is commendable that NIPRD, in line with its mandate, continues to set the pace for responsive innovation in this area,” the minister said.
On his part, the director-general of NIPRD, Dr. Obi Adigwe, said the meeting was the first step to unlock the health value chain plan which would not only save lives but also address critical socio-economic indices such as job creation, capacity building, revenue generation and technology transfer.
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