WHO supporting South African consortium to establish first COVID mRNA vaccine technology transfer hub

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the first COVID mRNA vaccine technology transfer hub will be established in cooperation with a South Africa consortium aiming at addressing the inequality in access to vaccines between the world’s wealthiest and poorest nations. Through this hub, the WHO and its partners will provide the production know-how, quality control, and necessary licences to support a rapid roll-out. It will further provide manufacturers from developing with training in how to produce vaccines and the relevant licenses to promote access to life essential treatments. ‘This is great news, particularly for Africa, which has the least access to vaccines. COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of local production to address health emergencies, strengthen regional health security and expand sustainable access to health products,’ said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.