Collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to host the seminar, Fit-for Purpose Vaccine Technologies:
The Amalgamation of Science, Policy, and Practice
The COVID-19 pandemic has galvanised organisations worldwide to come together to produce new vaccines that are safe and effective. Yet more needs to be done to tackle inequitable access to vaccines due to differences in access to vaccine technologies, capacities of vaccine manufacturing facilities, and maturity levels of regulatory systems. To fortify scientific, technical and regulatory issues in this interpandemic phase, the centre collaborated with ADB, to host a by-invitation seminar, Fit-for Purpose Vaccine Technologies: The Amalgamation of Science, Policy, and Practice.
The seminar comprised four themes: (a) Science of Vaccine Technologies, (b) Manufacturing and Other Considerations of Vaccine Technologies in Low-Resourced Settings, (c) Regulation of the Vaccine Life Cycle, and (d) Sustainability in Resource Constraint Settings. Throughout the two days, the diverse stakeholders discussed common ground and solutions for issues surrounding equitable vaccine access and regulatory system strengthening.
This by-invitation seminar was attended by more than a hundred senior leaders from multiple sectors, active in in vaccine development, financing, manufacturing and regulations. Public sector representatives from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Viet Nam, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Australia, Singapore and Korea, were also present.
This seminar exemplifies the approach and commitment of the Centre in advancing regulatory excellence. Through multi-sectoral partnership, a fit-for purpose collaborative vaccine strategy with consideration of scientific, technical and regulatory issues will ultimately advances sustainable vaccine manufacturing and regulatory agility in the Asia Pacific and strengthens the region’s resilience to manage future pandemics and other public health emergencies.
The seminar was graced by Mr Zahid Maleque, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Bangladesh, and Her Excellency Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India.
The by-invitation seminar was attended by more than a hundred senior leaders from multiple sectors, active in vaccine development, financing, manufacturing and regulations.