Africa produces less than 2% of the vaccines it uses due to challenges like financial constraints, lack of infrastructure, and limited technology transfers. As a result, it has had to rely on donations from abroad when a health crisis requiring vaccines arises. Because of this, the continent is at the mercy of external actors when combatting outbreaks. For example, the Democratic Republic of Congo has had to wait several months to begin receiving donated mpox vaccines, despite being the epicenter of a recent mpox outbreak that has generated over 20,000 cases and claimed 500 lives. African nations faced similar struggles during the COVID-19 pandemic, where vaccine nationalism slowed access. If there is to be a change in the status quo, African countries must invest more in local vaccine production. However, overcoming the barriers to local vaccine production will require strong political will and international cooperation.
SOURCE: AL JAZEERA
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