Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population announced that the state-owned Holding Company for Biological Products and Vaccines (VACSERA) hosted a delegation from GenVax Egypt and China’s Minhai to accelerate efforts in localizing production of a key childhood vaccine. The visit aims to fast-track a “gap analysis” plan needed to activate an existing agreement between VACSERA and GenVax Egypt for domestic manufacturing of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13).
Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population has announced that the state-owned Holding Company for Biological Products and Vaccines (VACSERA) hosted a delegation from GenVax Egypt and China’s Minhai as part of efforts to localize production of a key childhood vaccine. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) is central to this initiative, with the visit focused on accelerating a “gap analysis” plan to activate an existing agreement between VACSERA and GenVax Egypt for manufacturing the vaccine on local production lines.
Discussions were attended by Amir Gouda, commissioner-general of the Egyptian Company for the Production of Sera, Vaccines and Drugs. Health ministry spokesperson Hossam Abdel Ghaffar stated that “activating the agreement would help meet Egypt’s national immunisation requirements through local manufacturing, while also paving the way for expanded vaccine exports to regional and African markets.” He noted that the project aligns with Egypt’s broader strategy to support Africa in producing at least 60% of its vaccine needs locally, thereby reducing reliance on imports and generating significant economic savings across the continent.
Sherif El-Fil, managing executive director of the holding company, said the parties had agreed to “full cooperation between their technical teams to complete the gap analysis as a preparatory step towards full activation of the contract.” El-Fil added that the initiative supports Egypt’s strategic goals of localizing vaccine production and strengthening health security at both national and regional levels.
This development underscores Egypt's push toward self-sufficiency in vaccine production, potentially benefiting public health and economic ties in Africa.