INTRODUCTION
The theme of the Conference was ”Human Vaccine Production in Nigeria: the Politics, Policies and Projections”. The Conference brought together all Nigerians Fellows of the College (within and outside) and other distinguished Scientists that matters in the Science and Production of Human Vaccines. Aside the keynote address presented by Dr. Simon Agwale, the Chief Executive Officer of Innovative Biotech Nigeria and USA Inc., there were four (4) other lead papers presented by erudite scholars. Prof. S.O. Odewumi, renowned Professor of Transport, Planning and Policy, Lagos State University, Lagos presented on “Addressing future Pandemics: COVID-19 Experience” while Prof. Oyewole Tomori, a foremost Virologist and former Vice Chancellor, Redeemer University took participants through ”Vaccine Production in Nigeria: Any prospect”. Prof. S. A. Omilabu, Director of Center for Human and Zoonotic Virology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos led a presentation on Resources for Vaccine Development and Production in Nigeria while Prof. Abdulsalami Nasidi, Pioneer Director/CEO, NCDC reiterated the fact that investment in Research and Development in the area of vaccine, biological and pharmaceutical production should be viewed in the light of health security rather than mere commodity, and that the production of vaccines in LMICs such as Nigeria will help faster response to local outbreaks and prevent pandemics. Prof M. F. Useh, a former Dean of Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria discussed ‘’ Paradigm shifts in Medical Laboratory Science and Practice: Implications for the future”. The concluding talk titled “How Prepared are Medical Laboratory Science Professionals for Paradigm Shift in Practice” was presented by Dr. Solomon Chollom, a UK based Nigerian Virologist. There were also three robust consultative Group Discussion sessions.
Our pain is that Nigeria, the assumed giant of Africa with an estimated population of 215 million people with unparallel potentials to exposure to infectious diseases locked down with extreme poverty, is conspicuously missing among human vaccine producing nations in Africa despite our population and resources, both human and materials. Hence, discussion at the conference centered on salvaging the situation within a very short time frame and re-positioning the nation in her rightful place by doing the right thing.
RESOLUTIONS
The under listed resolutions were made at the Conference:
● The time to start human vaccine production in Nigeria is now.
● The country is blessed with both human and material resources to achieve the set goals
● Interested private sector companies should be provided with enabling environment for smooth take off while the Government plays the regulatory role
● Government should formulate policies that will ensure sustainability of human vaccines production and distribution.
● There is need for effective communication of scientific research outcomes to the community. “Gown to Town” advocacy
● Constructions of structures, procurement of equipment and materials should involve end users’ inputs.
● Need to encourage collaboration and networking within and outside Nigeria for quality human vaccines production
● This is the time to optimize our preparedness for future pandemics learning from the history of COVID-19 experience
● There is need for harmony among all healthcare professionals in the country for a sustainable vaccine production.
● There is need for all stakeholders to come together and start from the little available resources.
● Government should sponsor research and make researchers comfortable to be able to remain focused
● There is urgent need for Government to establish Institute of Vaccine and Biologicals Development, and support Research & Development in vaccine production
● The Conference called on Nigeria Universities, National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria to work together to transform the 5 year Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science Programme being offered by Nigerian Universities to a 6 year Doctor of Medical Laboratory Science Programme to accommodate recent developments in Science, technology, Health and Innovations in order to render accurate, reliable, reproducible and cost- effective medical laboratory test results
● The Conference urged accredited training Institutions by the West African Post-Graduate College of Medical Laboratory Science to commence the training of Fellows in Nigeria to produce specialist medical laboratory scientists urgently required in Nigeria to improve the provision of medical laboratory services to the benefit of Nigerians.
OUR PROJECTION
It is our firm hope and believe that Nigeria should be listed among human vaccine producers in Africa in the next two years.