DCVMN Produces Over 60% Of World’s Vaccines And Promotes Local Manufacturing In Africa And The Middle East

Rajinder Sur, CEO of the Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN), highlighted the network's significant impact during the COVID-19 pandemic. The network, comprising 48 vaccine manufacturers from 17 countries across six World Health Organization (WHO) regions, produced over 8 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines. This accounted for more than 60 percent of the global supply, saving millions of lives worldwide.

Sur emphasised DCVMN's crucial involvement in the World Local Production Forum 2025 held in Abu Dhabi. He participated in a main session and chaired a panel on local manufacturing. Discussions focused on how CEOs can influence the future of immunisation and boost national production capacities.

The forum saw participation from major international health organisations like WHO, Gavi, CEPI, and UNICEF. These entities are actively collaborating with vaccine producers to enhance local manufacturing capabilities in regions with limited production capacity, especially Africa and the Middle East.

Sur pointed out that Africa contributes merely 1 percent to global vaccine production. He stressed DCVMN's dedication to fostering self-sufficiency and sustainability in these areas. This commitment aligns with their goal of establishing robust and independent healthcare systems soon.

The presence of these leading health organisations at the forum underscores their commitment to supporting local vaccine production initiatives. Their efforts aim to address manufacturing challenges faced by regions like Africa and the Middle East.

Sur's insights at the forum highlighted the importance of collaboration between international health bodies and local manufacturers. Such partnerships are essential for enhancing vaccine accessibility and strengthening healthcare infrastructure globally.

The DCVMN's role extends beyond just vaccine production; it involves strategic dialogues with key stakeholders to ensure sustainable healthcare solutions. By focusing on local manufacturing, they aim to empower regions with limited resources to achieve greater healthcare independence.

Through active engagement in forums like these, DCVMN continues to play a pivotal role in shaping global immunisation strategies. Their efforts contribute significantly towards achieving equitable access to vaccines worldwide.

With inputs from WAM