Ghana is expected to achieve a significant milestone in its efforts to develop domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity with the production of its first locally manufactured tetanus-diphtheria vaccine by 2027. The project is being driven by the National Vaccine Institute (NVI) in partnership with local scientific institutions, private manufacturers, and an Indonesian pharmaceutical company, PT Bio Farma. This initiative aims to strengthen Ghana's domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity and reduce its reliance on imported vaccines.
The Chief Executive Officer of the NVI, Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, disclosed that the project is progressing well, with a team of experts from Ghana, including officials from the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and private manufacturers, having travelled to Indonesia to facilitate the technology transfer required for local production. The team signed a technology transfer agreement and established links between the regulatory authorities of Ghana and Indonesia to support the manufacturing process. This agreement is a critical step towards achieving the country's vaccine production ambitions.
According to Dr. Sodzi-Tettey, the technology transfer agreement has freed up about $400,000 from the Indonesian government to support vaccine manufacturing in Ghana. Most of the relevant materials have arrived in Ghana, with manufacturing processes now underway at Atlantic Lifesciences Limited. The partnership involves the NVI, Atlantic Lifesciences Limited, the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, and PT Bio Farma of Indonesia, combining local scientific expertise and manufacturing capacity with technical support from Indonesia.
The production of a locally manufactured tetanus-diphtheria vaccine by 2027 would mark a significant milestone in Ghana's efforts to develop domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity. Dr. Sodzi-Tettey expressed optimism that the partnership would deliver the country's first locally manufactured tetanus-diphtheria vaccine next year. He added that the initiative forms part of broader efforts to establish a sustainable vaccine manufacturing ecosystem in Ghana, including developing technical expertise, strengthening regulatory capacity, and building local production capabilities.
Beyond the tetanus-diphtheria vaccine project, the NVI has other plans for seed funding pledged by President John Dramani Mahama. The planned investments are expected to complement ongoing work with local and international partners as the country seeks to strengthen its position in vaccine research and production. This move is expected to enhance Ghana's ability to produce vaccines domestically and reduce its reliance on imported vaccines.
The partnership between Ghana and Indonesia is critical to the success of the project, with the Indonesian government providing significant support. The technology transfer agreement and the links established between the regulatory authorities of Ghana and Indonesia will support the manufacturing process and ensure that the vaccine meets international standards. Dr. Sodzi-Tettey emphasized that the project is on track, and the country is expected to manufacture its first vaccine in 2027.
If the current timeline is achieved, the production of a locally manufactured tetanus-diphtheria vaccine by 2027 would be a significant achievement for Ghana. The project has the potential to not only enhance the country's vaccine manufacturing capacity but also contribute to the development of a sustainable vaccine manufacturing ecosystem in Ghana. The NVI and its partners are working to ensure that the vaccine is produced to international standards and is available for use in Ghana and other parts of Africa.
Key points
- Ghana is set to produce its first locally manufactured tetanus-diphtheria vaccine by 2027.
- The project is being driven by the National Vaccine Institute in partnership with local scientific institutions, private manufacturers, and an Indonesian pharmaceutical company.
- The initiative aims to strengthen Ghana's domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity and reduce its reliance on imported vaccines.
