National Vaccine Institute makes impressive strides, activate measures for drug production

Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey is the Acting CEO of the National Vaccine Institute (NVI). He announced that the NVI is making significant progress toward vaccine self-sufficiency in Ghana.

The NVI's mandate includes coordinating research, developing vaccines, and manufacturing sera. This was established under ACT 1097 2023 to address vaccine nationalism during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dr. Sodzi-Tettey spoke at the JEAM Leadership Lecture Series. This event honored late President Professor John Evans Atta Mills and was organized by the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS). The theme was “Advancing Quality Health Systems in Ghana Amidst Global Disruptions.”

He noted that vaccines have saved millions of lives over time. However, only one percent of vaccines used are made in Africa. He praised the government's decision to create the NVI as bold and forward-thinking.

On its second anniversary in May, Dr. Sodzi-Tettey acknowledged modest gains made by the NVI. The institute has supported the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to achieve WHO Maturity Three status for vaccine manufacturing. It also selected two private companies for vaccine production through a public-private partnership model.

The NVI facilitated technology transfer for local vaccine manufacturing in Ghana. It established partnerships with organizations like the European Union, GIZ, World Bank, Africa CDC, WHO, and various universities.

After extensive testing and safety checks, Ghana's FDA authorized Atlantic Life Sciences (ALS) Limited to manufacture Snake Venom Anti Serum commercially. Between 2015 and 2019, an average of 9,600 snakebite cases were reported annually in Ghana.

This resulted in a fatality rate of three percent and many survivors facing lifelong disabilities like amputations or chronic wounds. In sub-Saharan Africa, about one million snakebites occur each year, leading to 10,000 to 30,000 deaths.

Dr. Sodzi-Tettey mentioned plans for NVI and ALS Ltd to produce vaccines meeting national needs. They aim to supply a locally produced anti-venom derived from Ghana’s biodiversity.

The goal is to stop importing Snake Venom Anti Serum altogether. Additionally, NVI has convened meetings with ALS Ltd., DEK Vaccines Limited, and Noguchi Memorial Institute to develop a ‘fill and finish’ product for Tetanus Diphtheria Vaccine.

This could be Ghana's first locally manufactured vaccine. Dr. Sodzi-Tettey assured that NVI is committed to its mandate supporting public health emergency management.

He highlighted a partnership with UHAS due to its resources for vaccine research and development. A recent visit from EU experts showed promising collaboration potential.

Initial support has been mobilized under the PharmaVax project financed by the EU and BMZ. Dr. Sodzi-Tettey expressed hope that UHAS's human resource capacity will benefit other institutions across Ghana.