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. 2025 Jul 22;80(Supplement_1):S9-S15.
doi: 10.1093/cid/ciaf055.

Overcoming Vaccine Inequities and Research Gaps in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities Identified During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cara Lynn Kim  1 , Thaint Thaint Thwe  1 , Ligia M Cruz Espinoza  1 , Jonathan D Sugimoto  1   2 , Mosoka P Fallah  3 , Hyon Jin Jeon  1   4   5 , Raphaël Rakotozandrindrainy  5 , Ellis Owusu-Dabo  6 , Abdramane Soura Bassiahi  7 , Octavie Lunguya  8   9 , Ilesh V Jani  10 , Florian Marks  1   4   5   11   12 , Birkneh Tilahun Tadesse  1   11   13
Affiliations

Overcoming Vaccine Inequities and Research Gaps in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities Identified During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cara Lynn Kim et al. Clin Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Before the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the African region already faced a substantial communicable disease burden and a rising prevalence of noncommunicable and chronic conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored critical vulnerabilities within the health systems in African countries and highlighted the urgent need for self-sufficiency to increase resilience in vaccine manufacturing and clinical trial capacity. In response, substantial efforts are underway to develop vaccine and pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities across the continent. Ongoing initiatives supported by large donor organizations are aimed at initiating much-needed progress toward greater self-sufficiency in vaccine production in Africa, as coordinated by the Africa Centers for Disease Control. Continued investment, regulatory harmonization, and strengthened international and regional partnerships are essential for Africa to develop sustainable vaccine manufacturing.

Keywords: Africa; COVID-19 pandemic; pandemic response; vaccine inequity; vaccine research and development.

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Conflict of interest statement

Potential conflicts of interest. The authors: No reported conflicts of interest. All authors have submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest. Conflicts that the editors consider relevant to the content of the manuscript have been disclosed. All authors have submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Number of new COVID-19 cases per African CDC region. Figure created using data from reference . Abbreviations: Africa CDC, Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
A and B, Percentage of total population vaccinated with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by December 2023. Figure created using data from reference . Abbreviations: AFRO, African Region; AMRO, Region of the Americas; COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019; EMRO, Eastern Mediterranean Region; EURO, European Region; SEARO, South-East Asian Region; WHO, World Health Organization; WPRO, Western Pacific Region.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Timeline of COVID-19 events. Figure was created using data from references , . Abbreviations: AFRO, African Region; AMRO, Region of the Americas; COVAX, COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access; COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019; EMRO, Eastern Mediterranean Region; EUA, Emergency Use Authorization; EURO, European Region; FDA, Food and Drug Administration; PHEIC, Public Health Emergency of International Concern; SEARO, South-East Asia Region; WHO, World Health Organization; WPRO, Western Pacific Region.
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