Lahore, In a significant move to bolster Pakistan’s economy and health sector, Federal Minister for Food Security and Research, Prof Kauser Abdullah Malik, emphasized the need for the country to promote local production of vaccines for humans, animals, and birds. His remarks were made during the inaugural ceremony of the two-day International Conference on ‘Current Trends, Prospects and Opportunities in Vaccine Research 2024’, hosted by the Punjab University Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB) at the Sheikh Riazuddin Auditorium.
According to University of The Punjab, Prof Malik highlighted the critical importance of self-reliance in vaccine production, especially in light of past challenges such as the refusal of a neighboring country to supply tetanus vaccines during the 2005 earthquake. He underscored the vulnerability of relying on imported vaccines, which may not be as effective due to lack of testing on local gene pools. Moreover, he pointed out the potential of local vaccine production to significantly benefit the Pakistani economy, given the right government support and private sector collaboration.
The conference brought together leading figures in the field, including PU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood, UHS Vice-Chancellor Prof Ahsan Waheed Rathore, and CEMB Director Prof Moazur Rahman, among others. Prof Mahmood praised Pakistani biotechnologists for their pioneering work in agriculture and health, noting the crucial role vaccines play in safeguarding the health of humans and animals alike.
The event also served as a platform for discussing the regulation and approval challenges faced by vaccine producers, with calls for streamlined processes to facilitate local development and distribution. The participation of international researchers and a Chinese delegation underscored the global interest in Pakistan’s efforts towards self-sufficiency in vaccine production.
This conference marks a pivotal step in Pakistan’s journey towards establishing a robust, self-reliant vaccine industry, capable of addressing both domestic needs and contributing to global health security.