Aspen needs clear commitments within weeks from African governments for orders of its Covid-19 vaccine or will recommit that production line in Gqeberha to more in-demand anesthetics. The situation is a setback for Africa’s plans to catch up with more developed countries’ Covid-19 vaccination rates, and prepare for the possibility of future pandemics. Aspen understands that African countries now have more shots than they have been able to administer, keeping the line open for the newly-named Aspenovax vaccine may not make economic sense if orders are not imminent, Nicolaou said. John Nkengasong, director of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, has said talks about how to raise demand for Covid-19 vaccines are underway and has appealed to African countries to place orders with local manufacturers. “The reality is that if Aspen cannot obtain production, what hope is there for others?” Nicolaou said.

Source: News 24 May 04, 2022 05:33 UTC