Health and Population Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar witnessed the launch of the implementation phase for transferring the technology needed to manufacture Egypt’s first locally produced PCV13 pneumococcal vaccine, through a partnership between the Vaccine and Biotechnology City (VBC) and China’s Walvax.
An agreement was signed to launch the technology transfer process, with plans to export the vaccine to 19 countries across Africa and the Middle East, positioning VBC as a regional hub. Tofflon will also contribute to the transfer of equipment technology.
Abdel Ghaffar said the project builds on Egypt’s efforts since 2014 to achieve self-sufficiency and strengthen pharmaceutical security. He stressed that including the vaccine in the national routine immunisation programme before 2030 is a national priority to protect children against pneumonia and meningitis, reduce costs and ensure sustainable supplies.
The minister praised President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s support and expressed confidence that international expertise, infrastructure and qualified Egyptian professionals would enable Egypt to become a regional vaccine manufacturing hub.
Head of the Unified Procurement Authority Hisham Stait stressed the importance of localising vaccine production and the government’s commitment to supporting investment to strengthen health security.
VBC Chairman Magdy El Sayed described the project as a strategic milestone for localising vaccine manufacturing in Egypt and Africa, noting that further vaccines are planned for local production by 2027.
Walvax Chairman Dong Shao Zhong said the partnership marked a key milestone in strengthening health security and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to sharing its expertise.
Egyptian Drug Authority Vice Chairman Tamer El Husseiny said the technology transfer reflected national priorities for building sustainable infrastructure. He added that the authority had assessed around 70 projects and selected 12 as priorities.
