PATRICK Tippoo, a scientist and an expert in vaccines production, has called for the political will to develop and produce vaccines in Africa.

Tippoo, the Head of Department of Biovac Institute in South Africa, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

He said Nigeria had the capacity to develop and produce vaccines for its citizens, but the issue was having the political backing and patience to go the extra mile.

According to him, a division of his institute, African Vaccine Manufacturing Initiative (AVMI), is advocating for the establishment of local vaccine development, which he said, Nigeria could be part of it with adequate political push.

“African vaccine manufacturing initiative AVMI vision is to advocate for the establishment of what we call local vaccine development and manufacturing capability in the continent.

“Currently, there is handful of vaccine manufacturing companies in the continent – in South Africa, in Senegal, in Egypt, Tunisia, Ethiopia and we are excited about the recent announcement in Nigeria with respect to the establishment of this capability through bio-vaccines.

“We also talking to the people in Ghana because they also have plans to establish vaccine production capacity, so vaccine production capacity is very important in the continent.

“It really comes down to the critical issue of breaking the cycle of dependency on outside supply of vaccine for Africa.

“So, we try to advocate through networking so that we can connect individuals and institutions from which learning can be transferred.’’

Tippoo said it might be a tough task, but could be achieved and it was necessary for Africa to embark on because it would contribute to skills and socio-economic development to boost the self-esteem of the continent.

NAN recalls that the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) organised a stakeholder’s conference on vaccine production in the country recently.

Speaking on new trends in vaccine production, Tippoo said efforts were being made to make vaccines that would be optimally effective without side effects.

He said previously there were vaccines that were reactogenic which means they could be protective, but had side effects like swellings or fever for a day or two.

He said the institute was working to develop new vaccines that would be more effective in protecting people for longer periods.

“Because some vaccines are 80 per cent effective, while others are 90 per cent effective, but the whole goal is to get 100 per cent effective, but that might be idealistic.

“That is the efficacy part, the other part of development of vaccine focuses on the safety component that you want vaccines that are more and more safe.

“The vaccines available now are not optimal, they are a bit of benefit and risk so we want to overcome that risk factor using more sophisticated and modern technologies.

“And the third area of vaccine development is in the area of new vaccines for example vaccines against HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis because currently there are no effective vaccines that exist against these diseases.’’

The scientist said Africa could achieve this with the right political backing, adding that even if there were challenges, the capabilities to tackle these challenges were available.

NAN reports that Biovac Institute is a public/private institute for the development of vaccines. (NAN)

– Aug. 10, 2018 @ 12:09 GMT |