CEPI: Global vaccine access must start in Africa

It says SA’s priorities align with CEPI’s global mission of pandemic preparedness and equitable vaccine access.

Speaking at the G20 Health Working Group in Johannesburg, CEPI Policy Director Neren Rau told Jacaranda FM News that the organisation is working with the government to simulate outbreak responses and test international readiness.

Rwanda praised for Marburg vaccine response

Rau highlighted Rwanda’s recent handling of the Marburg virus as a breakthrough moment for the Global South.

“In Rwanda, CEPI helped deliver vaccines within weeks, an unprecedented turnaround. That’s what preparedness and partnership look like,” he said.

He warned that outbreaks in the Global South are not isolated events.

“If not contained, they can quickly threaten global health and security. Rapid, coordinated, and equitable responses benefit everyone.”

The 100-day mission to stop pandemics early

CEPI’s long-term goal is to develop and approve new vaccines within 100 days of a pandemic threat being identified.

“COVID-19 showed us how unprepared the world was,” Rau said. “Countries scrambled for PPE, vaccines, and treatments, often reacting in silos. We need to move to a model where tools are ready upfront and everyone knows how to deploy them.”

CEPI, formed after the 2017 Ebola outbreak, funds vaccine research and works with regulators to speed up approvals.

“Rather than waiting for every country to approve a vaccine, we encourage regulatory recognition—where one country’s approval can unlock others. These reference agreements save time and lives,” said Rau.

Local manufacturing key to rapid rollout

Another priority is decentralising vaccine manufacturing to be closer to outbreak zones.

“Most vaccines are currently made in the Global North, which delays access and increases costs. CEPI is building a manufacturing network across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America to change that.

“For CEPI, success isn’t just about speed. It’s about access,” said Rau.

“If people in the Global South can’t get the vaccine, then we’ve failed. That’s why we include equity clauses in all our funding contracts.”

He urged governments and funders to follow suit.

“We call this approach system equity, when all stakeholders, from funders to pharma, work toward universal access.”

CEPI also supports vaccine technologies suited to real-world environments.

“If a vaccine needs ultra-cold storage, it may not be practical in some African regions. So we prioritise thermostable options that work in harsh conditions,” Rau added.

He said CEPI takes a holistic view, working with partners to cover the entire process, from development to delivery, ensuring no community is left behind.

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