Pathways to economically viable and sustainable vaccine manufacturing in LMICs

This peer-reviewed article examines the pathways to achieving economically viable and sustainable vaccine manufacturing in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The paper provides a conceptual and policy-oriented analysis of global vaccine market dynamics, manufacturing value chains, and the broader ecosystem required to support sustainable production. Drawing on recent evidence and global experiences, it outlines the key economic, technological, and institutional factors that influence the feasibility of regional vaccine manufacturing initiatives and proposes policy considerations for governments and stakeholders.

Key findings

• Establishing vaccine manufacturing in LMICs is highly complex due to high capital requirements, market uncertainty, and strong global competition.
• Sustained government commitment and investment are essential for new manufacturers to enter and compete in vaccine markets.
• Over time, the role of governments should shift from supporting individual firms to strengthening national and regional science ecosystems.
• Investment in science ecosystems contributes to sustainability by:
  • Enabling technological innovation that can reduce production costs
  • Addressing skills and workforce gaps in vaccine manufacturing
  • Supporting R&D for new vaccines, particularly those addressing local unmet needs
• Regional approaches to manufacturing and procurement, including regulatory harmonization, are critical to achieving economic viability.
• Maintaining sustainable manufacturing requires continuous demand during interpandemic periods, including through routine immunization and development of new vaccines.
• Investment in R&D and regional collaboration strengthens innovation pipelines and supports long-term sustainability and pandemic preparedness.

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