The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is advocating for a critical initiative to protect Africa from the risk of epidemics fueled by climate change.
The Head of the coalition’s Lassa Fever Engagement, Ms Oyeronke Oyebanji, made this known in an interview on Friday, October 25, 2024, in Abuja.
She said that “CEPI has an ambitious mission to develop vaccines within 100 days of an outbreak to contain diseases before they spread.”
Oyebanji added that the initiative could be transformative for countries like Nigeria, where diseases such as Lassa fever and Mpox threaten public health and economic stability.
She explained that “with the growing impact of climate change, diseases like Lassa fever and Mpox may spread more unpredictably.
“Our 100-day mission is more critical than ever, focusing on rapid vaccine development that can save lives and limit transmission, and build capacity to do this rapidly.”
She warned that rising temperatures and extreme weather were contributing to the spread of infectious diseases, many of which were already prevalent in Africa.
She said that warmer temperatures and unpredictable rain patterns can increase the habitats for disease vectors like rodents and insects, raising the likelihood of outbreaks.
She added that as diseases such as Mpox and Lassa fever continue to emerge, public health systems across Africa must evolve measures to tackle spread.
She said that achieving the 100 days mission would require an unprecedented level of coordination among governments, researchers, the private sector and civil society.
She said that African governments were being called upon to strengthen investments in measures to prevent, prepare, detect and respond to infectious disease outbreaks.
She said that CEPI’s mission highlighted the need for local vaccine manufacturing and robust healthcare infrastructure in Africa.
“With support from international organisations and local stakeholders, Nigeria and other African nations are working to build health resilience against both familiar and emerging threats,” she said.
However, she said that realising this vision requires sustainable funding, noting that “CEPI has called for greater investment in vaccine research and development to secure the resources necessary for its mission.”
She stressed that funding must go beyond emergency response, focusing on long-term preparedness and building healthcare systems capable of tackling climate-driven epidemics.
By Abujah Racheal
