(4 minutes read) (global)
- Germany’s BioNTech unveiled mobile vaccine production units housed in shipping containers aimed at bringing manufacturing to Africa
- Â The pharmaceutical company together with Pfizer developed the first mRNA vaccine against the coronavirus
- Â The first mobile vaccine manufacturing plant will be set up in the continent in mid-2022.
Germany’s BioNTech unveiled mobile vaccine production units housed in shipping containers aimed at bringing manufacturing to Africa. The pharmaceutical company together with Pfizer developed the first mRNA vaccine against the coronavirus. The first mobile vaccine manufacturing plant will be set up in the continent in mid-2022.
This important announcement made by BioNTech at the company’s production site in Marburg, Germany was attended by the African heads of states, such as Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Senegalese President  Macky Sall, Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo and World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, besides several other senior functionaries of the African states and BioNTech.
Africa, so far, has fully vaccinated just under 12% of the population, which is one of the lowest. It may be recalled that   earlier, Biologics, a South African company had produced the continent’s first coronavirus vaccine based on mRNA technology. It claims to have used the available genetic code used by BioNTech rival Moderna, which is available without any patent restrictions. The present manufacturing facility is said to increase the vaccine availability in the continent and the rate of vaccination. Presently, the continent depends on donor countries and WHO to procure most of its requirements. Other countries including South Africa may avail facilities extended by the mobile manufacturing units.
The 12 containers that make up the lab are split into two modules. Of that, one is for the production of mRNA and the other for the vaccine serum. For filling the vial, the company has enlisted the support of local partners. Making vaccines is a tedious and complex process. More than 50,000 steps  have to be followed meticulously. The containers will shorten the process by having pre-validated processes. The containers also can produce vaccines against malaria. Clinical trials for malaria vaccines are set  to begin this year.
