The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the World Bank Group (WBG), together with Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN) and others, have launched a partnership to strengthen vaccine manufacturing across ASEAN, supporting the ASEAN Vaccine Security and Self-Reliance Initiative (AVSSR).
The partnership—which is aligned with the objectives of the AVSSR, led by the National Vaccine Institute (NVI) of Thailand, and is supported by the Regionalized Vaccine Manufacturing Collaborative (RVMC) and partners, aims to expand regional manufacturing, strengthen supply chains, and improve access to vaccines for routine immunisation and future outbreaks.
ASEAN countries import the majority of the vaccines they need, leaving the region vulnerable to global supply disruptions, particularly during outbreaks. Expanding regional manufacturing can help ensure more reliable access to both routine and outbreak vaccines, enhance pandemic preparedness, reduce costs over time, and create skilled jobs.
To the partnership CEPI brings expertise in outbreak vaccines, platform readiness, technology transfer and process development, and up to $20 million in catalytic funding to be implemented through a jointly agreed work plan. By combining public and private capital and reducing investment risks, the WBG and its partners aim to mobilise up to $654 million in financing for regional vaccine manufacturing and to strengthen the systems needed to support it.
