*Prof. Richard Adegbola (L) and Prof. Idris Muhammed during the NAMed Webinar
Strong political will coupled with effective funding of research and development, on the part of the Nigerian government will ensure successful manufacturing of vaccines in the country.
Professor Richard Adegbola, a consultant with the Nigerian Medical Research Institute, made this assertion in his introductory speech at a recent Webinar lecture organised by the Nigerian Academy of Medicine (NAMed) entitled “Local production of vaccines in Nigeria: From Research and Development to Manufacturing”.
Prof. Adegbola, PhD, FRCPath, FRCP (Hons), FAS, FAAS., who was the guest speaker at the occasion, noted that the continent of Africa consumes about 25 percent of global vaccines production while manufacturing only 1percent of the entire global production.
He observed that the inequity which permeated the global production of vaccines, inadvertently leaving the African continent behind in the face and phases of the pandemic, was surely a wake up call for the continent.
The lecturer revealed that many years back, Nigeria ventured successfully into the manufacturing of vaccines, 17D Yellow Fever Vaccine in 1952, Rabies vaccine for dogs in 1956 and for cats in 1970.
Prof. Adegbola however, lamented that the production of the Yellow Fever Vaccine which was the only human vaccine ever produced in Nigeria, was stopped for whatever reasons in 1991 and ever since then, there had been no coordinated efforts at public production of human vaccines though, there had been pockets of efforts by a few individuals in the country.
He therefore stressed that professionals in the vaccine production chain should be frequently encouraged while over reliance on major and frequent donor agencies should be avoided, emphasising that In the same vein serious advocacy should be carried out for the locals to be able to access the vaccines whilst effective and prompt deliveries must be encouraged.
Prof. Adogbola who has to his credit many years of research work on vaccines and immunisation across Africa and also direct industry experience with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Vaccines in Belgium, where he was Global Director for Scientific Affairs and Public Health for six years, also revealed that vast opportunities abound in the vaccine production market as reports available showed that only 13 nations have been able to produce 100percent of vaccines needed by their citizens and have been able to fully vaccinate their people. Whereas Nigeria and other African countries are fully dependent on other foreign nations for donations of vaccines and procurement.
He insisted that for Nigeria to renew efforts in vaccines productions, it must commit to three pillars of vaccine process which according to the medical research consultant include, Research and Development, Manufacturing and Procurement and finally Delivery and Access. He emphasised the need for thorough research and development, leading to series of tests and retests and all the encumbrances of research validation and adaptations. The need to be consistent in the quality manufacturing process was also noted. According to Adegbola the role of quality control is a fundamental key to the successful and continuous production of vaccines in Nigeria.
The Webinar, which held penultimate Thursday, was moderated by a foundation Fellow of the Academy, Professor Idris Muhammed, FAS, NNOM, FNAMed. and had in attendance, over 100 professional participants. Some of those who joined the Webinar and made comments included the renowned Virologist Prof. Oyewale Tomori and the former Federal Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole.
Watch the full version of the Webinar online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7D87dD6hu0
