Africa ‘tech hub’ aims to fill COVID-19 vaccine gap

ABSTRACT

Speed read New mRNA tech transfer hub to be established in South Africa Facility will provide training and licences for vaccine development Less than one per cent in Africa have been vaccinated against COVID-19 [NAIROBI] Africa could start using locally manufactured COVID-19 vaccines next year after the World Health Organization (WHO) announced plans for the first mRNA technology transfer hub in South Africa. South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa told the press conference “This landmark initiative is a major advance in the international effort to build vaccine development and manufacturing capacity that will put Africa on a path to self-determination.” WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan said the UN agency and its partners will guide countries on how to manufacture vaccines, quality control, and necessary licenses to “facilitate a broad and rapid technology transfer to multiple recipients”.