The European Union and its Member States announced that they will be contributing more than US$800 million, including US$233 million from the EU budget, to the African Vaccines Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) launched today in Paris. Through this innovative instrument, developed by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance together with Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), it will be possible to enhance the predictability of demand for vaccines made in Africa and support the sustainable growth of Africa’s manufacturing base. The EU and its Member States France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Luxembourg are together the largest contributor to the initiative, which will further complement the existing Team Europe initiative on Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines and Health Technologies in Africa (MAV+).
The African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator is expected to purchase more than 800 million doses produced in Africa over the next decade. It also has the potential to improve African pandemic and outbreak preparedness and response. For these purposes, it will make up to US$1 billion available to manufacturers as a way of offsetting high start-up costs and providing assurance of demand. The initiative will diversify the set of global vaccine suppliers with at least four African vaccine manufacturers entering the market in a sustainable way.
Background
Supporting vaccine production while promoting equitable access to essential health products, technologies and primary healthcare services is an opportunity to target several development objectives and geopolitical priorities shared by the EU and the African Union, including job creation, diversification of global value chains and innovation.
As part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, the EU, its Member States and European financial institutions have been strongly investing in boosting Africa’s vaccine manufacturing capacity in a 360 degree approach. Through the Team Europe Initiative on Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines and Health Technologies (‘MAV+’), Team Europe is working to create an enabling environment for the industry, train a skilled workforce in the sector, strengthen the regulatory environment and support African research and technology transfer. This flagship initiative ultimately promotes equitable access to quality, safe, effective and affordable health products. In total, including the AVMA contribution, Team Europe is dedicating around €2 billion to this agenda in close collaboration with African and international partners.
Quotes
Jutta Urpilainen, the European Commissioner for International Partnerships: “The African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator is the next step forward in achieving the African ambition of producing 60% of vaccines locally. With this significant Team Europe investment of over US$800 million, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting Africa’s health autonomy and global preparedness against future health threats.”
Caroline Gennez, Belgian minister for Development Cooperation and Major Cities: “One of the objectives of the Belgian EU presidency was to build a more equal partnership between Europa and Africa, specifically through collaboration in the field of health. Together, we decided to work on the development of affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare systems in Africa, building on each other’s expertise and knowledge. After a successful Team Europe mission to the African Union and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in Addis Abeba, and an AU-EU high-level meeting on health in Brussels, this major European investment in the newly launched African Vaccines Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) is another concrete step towards solidifying that partnership. This package will help to further strengthen Africa’s own vaccine manufacturing, thereby ensuring better health outcomes for Africans and Europeans. Because Europe will only be safe and healthy, if Africa is safe and healthy.”
David Jordens, spokesperson – woordvoerder – porte-parole
TEL: +32 478 92 09 37
EMAIL: david.jordens@diplobel.fed.be
Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union
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