Egypt's Largest vaccine factory to be inaugurated by end of 2021: VACSERA head

CAIRO – 25 August 2021: President of the Holding Company for Biological Products and Vaccines "Vacsera" Dr. Heba Wali, revealed the details of the Egyptian Medicines Authority's approval of the Vacsera-Sinovac vaccine, adding that by the end of this year, the largest vaccine factory will be inaugurated.

Heba Wali, in a phone interview with Sada Al-Balad TV channel, Wednesday, stated that the first million doses of the "Vacsera-Sinovac" vaccine are ready for use after being delivered to the Ministry of Health. The doses were produced locally and approved by the Medicines Authority.

Heba Wali confirmed that a team is working more than 19 hours per day to produce the local Sinovac vaccine.

She added adding that the locally-produced vaccine match the international specifications and standards.

Wali further explained that there are directives from the political leadership to achieve self-sufficiency in the vaccine production of the vaccine and the establishment of a center regionally in the Middle East and Africa. According to her, the local vaccine will be provided as of Thursday at more than 400 centers across the country.

In April, President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi inaugurated Gypto Pharma City spanning over 180,000 square meters, and consisting of plants that manufacture sterilized medicines, non-sterilized medicines, solid medicines, cancer treatment products, and medical equipment.

The Gypto Pharma City is located in Qalyoubiya governorate within Greater Cairo. 

President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi said that work is underway to produce pharmaceutical raw materials.

“We’re close to localizing insulin production so as we’re about to stop importing the product,” the prime minister added. "We target launching a plasma production factory by the end of 2022, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli declared during the inauguration ceremony.