The solution, many now believe, is for the countries to do something that the big U.S. mRNA vaccine makers say is not feasible: manufacture the gold-standard mRNA shots themselves.Despite mounting pressure, the CEOs of Moderna andhave declined to license their mRNA technology in developing countries, arguing it makes no sense to do so. Just 4% of people in low-income countries are fully vaccinated.Experts in both the development and production of vaccines say the mRNA vaccines involve fewer steps, fewer ingredients and less physical capacity than traditional vaccines. A few large pharmaceutical producers in developing countries have these funds at hand; others would need loans or investors. When a company has a functioning production line, it is a straightforward process to swap the mRNA content and make vaccines for a different pathogen, such as malaria or HIV.This argument over manufacturing COVID mRNA vaccines echoes one that was made two decades ago about treatments for HIV. But the fastest route to production would be a partnership with the maker of one of the existing mRNA vaccines.

Source: Economic Times October 23, 2021 15:36 UTC