Current State and Challenges of Local Production of Vaccines in Nigeria.

Background: Vaccination protects the population against infectious diseases and reduces their transmissibility. Potentials exist for local production of vaccines in Nigeria, as a means of addressing public health needs. However, challenges exist in certain critical aspects which limit development in this area. This study aimed at evaluating the challenges of local vaccines' manufacturing in Nigeria from the perspectives of relevant stakeholders.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The data obtained from the study were analysed descriptively.

Results: More than half of the study participants (55.5%) agreed that significant gaps exist with respect to access to vaccines in Nigeria. Only about one-quarter of the respondents (25.8%) were of the view that relevant legislative frameworks exist to support government funding in the area of vaccine production. One-third of the participants (32.3%) expressed confidence in the availability of trained human resources for vaccine production. Close to two-thirds of the respondents (61.7%) expressed dissatisfaction regarding the current funding for vaccine research and development, and a similar proportion (65.2%) were of the opinion that a lack of local manufacturing capacity contributed to the sub-optimal access to vaccines. Moreover, two-thirds (62.3%) disagreed that Nigeria was prepared for future pandemics.

Conclusion: Ill-suited policies, sub-optimal infrastructure, and inadequate research and development funding, are some factors which the study identified as contributory to the lack of access to vaccines in Nigeria. There is a need to improve incentives, infrastructural development and build human resource capacity for vaccine research and development to enhance local production in Nigeria.