“Cost of inaction is simply too high”
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Noting that the region has been “paying the price” for importing its medical products in the coronavirus response, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has selected two projects that will see technology transferred to two vaccine manufacturers in the region.
The move paves the way for expanded direct purchase of vaccines for member states.
During PAHO’s weekly press conference yesterday, PAHO Director Dr Carissa Etienne said: “Latin America and the Caribbean have imported nearly all the medical products that they’ve used in the COVID response and today we’re paying the price as we continue to face delays in production.
“But our region has the capacity and expertise to lessen our dependence on global suppliers.”
According to the director, an external and independent committee of experts made the selection following a review of over 30 proposals.
The Biomanguinhos Institute of Technology and Immunobiological at the Oswaldo Cruise Foundation in Brazil and Sinergium BioTech of Argentina will “receive technical support from PAHO and WHO (World Health Organization) to accelerate the development and production of mRNA vaccines, the same technological platform that is used by Pfizer and Moderna to do that in Latin America and the Caribbean”.
Etienne said the strategic initiative can be used to develop other vaccines for illnesses affecting the region such as Zika, dengue fever and others.
PAHO said the institutions chosen have a long history of vaccine manufacturing and “will build on this legacy to protect people across the region from the threat of COVID and from future health risks”.
“All vaccines that will be produced under this initiative will be available to all countries in Latin America and the Caribbean through PAHO’s Revolving Fund, benefitting the entire region,” Etienne said.
PAHO has invited private and public pharmaceutical manufactures, which can produce “essential components” for the development of the mRNA, to become a part of the regional platform.
Applications will remain open until October 15.
PAHO said the investment to expand pharmaceutical manufacturing in the region will be significant, but the “cost of inaction is simply too high”.
Asked whether countries will have to pay for the vaccines produced in the region, PAHO Assistant Director Dr Jarbas Barbosa said PAHO is working in all areas to broaden access to vaccines, particularly direct purchase, but made clear that “it’s a purchase”.
“It’s no donation,” Barbosa said.
“So, countries that wish to do so can use this new option to buy through the Revolving Fund.
“The IMF (International Monetary Fund) is offering loans to some countries so that they can make these purchases, but these are direct purchases by the country to the Revolving Fund.
“All countries interested can have access. We have had requests from about 24 counties in the region, some for vaccines for this year, some for 2022.”
The organization also announced yesterday that it signed an agreement with Sinovac Biotech Limited, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, and has begun accepting orders for the vaccine that will be ready for delivery this year.
The COVAX Facility, beginning in October, will allocate 120 million doses to countries that have less than 10 percent vaccination coverage, according to Barbosa — a measure that will benefit three countries in the region: Haiti, Nicaragua and Jamaica.
In November and December, 600 million doses, of which 50 percent will be allocated to countries with lower coverage rates around the world, including those with fewer than 20 percent coverage, will be rolled out.
The Bahamas has a 30 percent fully vaccinated rate.
PAHO added that it plans to purchase other vaccines in the coming days that could be prepared for rollout sometime next year.
It can only purchase vaccines from manufacturers who have received emergency use authorization (EUA) approval.
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