The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has renewed the case for pharmaceutical sovereignty in Africa. The country reported 10,668 confirmed cases and 5,198 deaths up until 3 November, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. The centre says the DRC is still reconciling its case and death counts. Frontline teams need reliable…
Tag: Vaccines
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Childhood immunisation coverage falls sharply in South Africa
Childhood immunisation coverage in South Africa has fallen sharply. As a result, the Department of Health has called for urgent action as outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases spread across the country. The proportion of infants under one year who have received no vaccinations rose from 12.1% in 2017 to 36.3% between January and April 2026. As a result, the share of…
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Malaria Financing In Africa: Strategies and Solutions
As African leaders met in Addis Ababa for the 39th AU Summit, malaria was back in the spotlight. Malaria Financing In Africa is now more urgent as new data indicate that the disease is increasing again after years of progress. That reversal is colliding with shrinking donor support and harsher climate conditions. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 610,000…
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US Childhood Vaccine Schedule Under Legal Challenge
Major US medical organisations are asking a federal judge in Boston to urgently block new federal guidance that reduces the number of vaccines routinely recommended for children. The debate centres on whether changes to the US Childhood Vaccine Schedule by the administration could impact public health. In addition, the case is shaping up as a pivotal test of how far…
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FDA Unpredictable: Moderna Challenges the Agency
Moderna has launched a rare public attack on the US Food and Drug Administration, warning that an “unpredictable” regulator could weaken America’s lead in drug innovation. During the call, company leaders specifically argued that the FDA’s unpredictable decision-making undermines industry momentum. The comments came during the company’s Friday analyst call. This was just days after the FDA declined to accept…
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Global Malaria Crisis Deepens Amid US Cuts, Rising Resistance
The global malaria crisis is facing a severe and potentially irreversible setback, according to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) latest report. Progress in fighting the disease has stagnated since 2015, and by 2024, key indicators show a dramatic regression that experts are calling catastrophic. Global Malaria Crisis Escalates With Alarming Statistics In 2024, malaria infected 282 million people and killed…
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Cholera Vaccine Trial Aims for Self-Reliance in Africa
South Africa has taken a pivotal step towards pharmaceutical independence with the launch of a new South African cholera vaccine trial. The state-backed manufacturer, Biovac, in partnership with the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), has initiated clinical trials for a candidate oral cholera vaccine. Many hail this development as a crucial move to reduce Africa’s dependence on imported medicines.…
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Biovac R&D Lab to Drive Vaccine Manufacturing in Africa
State-backed vaccine manufacturer Biovac has officially launched a new product development laboratory at its Cape Town facility. This move strengthens its capacity to produce vaccines entirely on African soil, from start to finish. The new Biovac R&D lab in Pinelands, Cape Town, will enable scientists to conduct cutting-edge research and development (R&D) on the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for novel…
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Children’s Lives at Risk as US Proposes Slashing Funds for Gavi
In a move putting children’s lives at risk, the US government has announced its intention to cut funding for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. It is a key organisation credited with saving millions of lives through childhood immunisation. The decision comes at a critical time, as rising vaccine hesitancy contributes to a resurgence of preventable diseases like measles worldwide. The proposed…
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Florida’s ‘Vaccine War’ Sparks Outrage and Debate
Florida is becoming the new epicentre of America’s “vaccine wars.” This follows Governor Ron DeSantis’s announcement to eliminate all vaccine mandates for schoolchildren. The plan has ignited immediate and fierce opposition from political rivals and the medical community. The move, if successful, would make Florida the largest US state to dismantle long-standing public health requirements for immunisations. The controversial proposal…
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New TB Vaccine Initiatives by South Africa
South Africa has taken a landmark step in its fight against tuberculosis (TB) by hosting the first-ever national workshop on TB vaccine preparedness. The event, co-convened by the Department of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO), signals a new era in public health. It moves the conversation from treatment to outright prevention for adolescents and adults. With a new,…