Vaccine research and development capacity in Central and West Asia: A path toward sustainable vaccine R&D programs

Front Public Health. 2023 Mar 2:11:1143790. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1143790. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

The ability to support a comprehensive vaccine research and development (R&D) portfolio from a health security perspective has taken on enhanced significance over the past 3 years whereby countries that had existing vaccine R&D infrastructure (G7, Russia and China) have been at the forefront of global efforts to combat COVID-19. Few countries outside of these key players have the infrastructure necessary to develop national vaccine programs, though this is beginning to change with investment across many low- and middle-income countries. These same opportunities exist for countries in Central and West Asia, and in this perspective, we highlight the existing infrastructure and expertise across seven countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan) and propose opportunities for enhanced collaboration along with a bold proposal for establishing a new-build, regional vaccine translational research institute to facilitate the development of a robust, regional vaccine R&D environment to combat existing and future health challenges.

Keywords: Central Asia; LMIC; West Asia; capacity; development; research; vaccines.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Kazakhstan
  • Research
  • Russia
  • Vaccines*

Substances

  • Vaccines

Grants and funding

This study was funded by the Asian Development Bank under grant award TA9950. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of ADB, its Board of Governors, or the governments they represent. Any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area, or use of the term country is not intended to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.