Abstract
Manufacturers have a significant stake in the vaccine supply chain as their reputations rest on the effectiveness of their vaccines at the point of vaccination. The risks of low performing supply chains are detrimental for the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, with potential consequences to future supply in the case of adverse events. For this reason, a study was set up to explore the involvement of developing country manufacturers in the vaccine supply chain over the next decade to determine the areas where innovations could have a positive impact on the supply chain, focusing on the secondary stages of production where formulation, filling and packaging take place. An expert desk review identified eight areas of interest for the vaccine supply chain and informed the development of a survey to assess the relevance of the areas identified. The review also conjectured whether the overall effect of the identified areas is cost-neutral or resulting in net savings to countries. Overall, respondents identified five areas as of highest interest and subsequently an expert working group of representative manufacturers prioritized three of them. Specifically, traceability in the context of global digital health initiatives, stockpiling in the context of addressing vaccine shortages, stock-outs, outbreaks and epidemic prevention, and new packaging technologies are discussed in this report. It is important that vaccine manufacturers be actively engaged in global stakeholders' forums, as equal partners in determining the best ways for improving the vaccine supply chain.
Highlights
In the supply of vaccines to developing countries, emerging country manufacturers are becoming increasingly important
Innovative vaccines have been developed, that are already pre-qualified by the World Health Organization (WHO), and newer vaccines are coming to market, expanding the global supply capacity
Manufacturers have a significant stake in the vaccine supply chain as their reputations rest on the effectiveness of their vaccines at the point of vaccination
Summary
In the supply of vaccines to developing countries, emerging country manufacturers are becoming increasingly important. Vaccine manufacturers from emerging countries, both publiclyand privately-owned, established a public health driven international network, the Developing Countries’ Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN) with a mission of protecting people from infections by supplying high-quality and affordable vaccines. The risks of low performing supply chains are detrimental for the safety and effectiveness of vaccines at time of vaccination, with potentially negative consequences to future supply and reputation. For this reason, DCVMN initiated a study to explore the involvement of members’ manufacturers in the vaccine supply chain over the decade to determine the areas where their engagement could have a positive impact on the supply chain, focusing on the secondary stages of production where formulation, filling and packaging take place DCVMN initiated a study to explore the involvement of members’ manufacturers in the vaccine supply chain over the decade to determine the areas where their engagement could have a positive impact on the supply chain, focusing on the secondary stages of production where formulation, filling and packaging take place (See Figs. 1–9)
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