The Federal Government has taken steps to expedite local vaccine manufacturing and halt its importation.
This decision was the fallout of a meeting organised by the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development held in Abuja recently. To achieve this, the government has reviewed and validated the draft national plan for vaccine research and development in the country.
The plan, which was developed in 2021,is the first of its kind in Africa and highlights the role of the relevant stakeholders in the vaccine landscape.
Speaking at the meeting, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed that the efforts of the Federal Government over the years to commence local vaccines production was already yielding the expected results.
The minister noted that the review and validation meeting was timely because it provided critical stakeholders and policy makers, the opportunity to address critical health care issues, as well as enhance entry of the pharmaceutical sector in the larger African market.
He stressed that the meeting would fast track the achievement of the vaccine policy objectives of the federal government. The minister assured that his ministry would continue to provide the necessary oversight and work with NIPRD and other stakeholders at all levels to ensure that the desired results are achieved.
