2023-08-28 18:00:19
Olly Cann, Gavi Communications Director
Cholera outbreaks can have devastating effects on communities, resulting in loss of life and disruption of daily life. One of the most critical tools in the fight against cholera is the oral cholera vaccine (OCV). As a front-line global player in vaccination, Gavi supports States in the response to and the fight against these epidemics in several African countries. Especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. In this sense, it published a new roadmap on the future of the supply of oral vaccines against cholera. How is Gavi supporting the DRC in the fight against Cholera? What is the content of this document highlighting responses to epidemics? Answers in this face-to-face with Olly Cann, Gavi’s director of communications.
Interview
For 6 years, the DRC has been facing the Cholera epidemic. What are Gavi’s initiatives in terms of supporting state efforts to fight this disease? What can we learn from the oral VCO vaccine?
Olly Cann : Gavi funds all emergency stocks managed by the ICG. This means that we finance the purchase and transport of doses delivered to countries through the Alliance partner UNICEF. We also support the operational costs of campaigns to distribute these doses, passed on to governments, WHO, UNICEF and other agencies. We are also responsible for shaping and developing the markets for those vaccines that are historically limited or restricted (Ebola, yellow fever, cholera, meningitis) – working with manufacturers and partners to ensure a steady increase in supply and by working with countries and partners to clarify demand.
A child receiving an oral vaccine
Historically, VCO availability has followed an upward trajectory. To date, the stock has always been able to meet 100% of countries’ demand for epidemic control. For many years there have remained volumes for preventive use – a process that is not managed by the ICG, but by Gavi and GTFCC partners. The truly worrying change we have seen recently is an increase in epidemics – precipitated by lack of access to clean water and sanitation, and exacerbated by the effects of the pandemic as well as floods, droughts, conflicts, population movements and other factors having an impact on access to drinking water. Given the size and location of the outbreaks, the disease spreads to neighboring countries and to other countries through population movements.
What is in your published roadmap for the future of oral cholera vaccine supply?
We released our roadmap in May, outlining critical steps to ensure the supply of oral cholera vaccine (OCV) can meet growing country demand. Released in the context of a recent wave of cholera outbreaks around the world, the roadmap forecasts the short, medium and long term outlook for the global supply of cholera vaccine. We developed it in consultation with a range of key Alliance partners, including WHO, UNICEF, the Global Task Force for Cholera Control (GTFCC) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). ). And it describes how these organizations, manufacturers and countries can work together to ensure that the global supply of OCV will enable preventive vaccination at scale, by 2026.
The roadmap outlines three areas where partners will work together to ensure supplies are available to fully support outbreak response and longer-term preventative vaccination.In the short term, optimize the use and availability of inventory : Alliance partners will work together to provide countries with up-to-date advice on the best use of the vaccine in emergencies, to improve campaign planning and optimize dose utilization. The development of an allocation framework is essential to ensure consistency of demand, as well as transparency and equity in the distribution of doses to countries in need of preventive vaccination. At the same time, Gavi is working to help new suppliers enter the market faster and in greater volumes. And the current main supplier, EuBiologics, to increase its production capacity.
Ensure demand for preventive vaccination
For supply to meet demand for preventive VCO programs by 2026, countries and partners must continue to plan for these programs well in advance. These two actions are interdependent: predictable demand will provide suppliers with accurate signals to ensure that the necessary investments are made now, to secure future supply. And this security of future supply can guide countries’ cholera prevention plans. The roadmap outlines the range of technical advice and support needed for countries to accurately map high-risk cholera areas and plan high-quality, high-impact, long-term, multi-sector preventive programs. .
Support high-impact innovations in vaccines and delivery methods
With many candidates for cholera vaccines in development, it is essential to send clear signals about which innovations would have the greatest impact in low-income countries where these vaccines are most needed (such as protection stronger and longer lasting in children and adults) and how they should be prioritized. Protocols and clear labeling regarding the shelf life of vaccines outside of the cold chain during a campaign or emergency response (also known as a “controlled temperature chain” or CTC) would help dramatically increase ease of use in low-income countries. And, therefore, the ability to reach the people who need it most.
Can you tell us about your provisional vaccination schedule throughout the national territory. What are the conditions to benefit from it?
The VCO vaccine is never used nationwide, but Gavi supports emergency response, humanitarian crises and preventive vaccination in countries where cholera is endemic. Gavi has supported OCV vaccination in DRC for many years, and earlier this year officially launched its window of support for cholera diagnosis and multi-year preventive OCV vaccination programme, with the first countries to submit their application during the year.
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