Cholera Outbreak Claims 21 Lives in Lagos as EU Pledges €750 Million for African Vaccine Production

At least 21 people have died from a cholera outbreak in Lagos State, Nigeria, according to health officials. More than 400 cases have been reported since the outbreak began, with many attributed to recent Eid al-Adha celebrations.

The Lagos State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, is investigating water and food sources to pinpoint the contamination.

EU Pledges €750 Million for African Vaccine Manufacturing

In response to the broader issue of vaccine availability in Africa, the European Union announced a €750 million ($800 million) pledge to launch the African Vaccines Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA).

This initiative, unveiled in Paris, aims to increase vaccine production on the continent, reducing dependency on external sources and improving response capabilities to outbreaks like cholera.

The AVMA program, supported by the Gavi vaccine alliance and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, plans to invest €1 billion and purchase 800 million doses from African producers.

This effort seeks to address the disparity seen during the COVID-19 pandemic and promote a self-sustaining pharmaceutical industry in Africa.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged €318 million, and French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the program’s potential to establish a robust African vaccine market.

African Union Commission chair Moussa Faki Mahamat highlighted the continent’s heavy reliance on imported vaccines and the high costs involved, stressing the importance of this initiative for Africa’s healthcare independence.