Chilengi urges Africa CDC to speed up regional cholera vaccine production

Health Minister Prof Roma Chilengi has called on the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to fast-track the manufacture of cholera vaccines within the region, saying Zambia has positioned itself to serve as a regional hub. According to a Ministry of Health post on Facebook on Monday at about 16:00 CAT, Prof Chilengi argued that local production would cut import costs and protect national sovereignty over health supplies. He also met the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and ZAMVAX. The remarks come as Zambia runs an oral cholera vaccination campaign targeting Lusaka, reported by Xinhua on 16 and 17 October. The minister has put cumulative cases at 966, with 43 new cases in 24 hours and 25 deaths, according to Eastleigh Voice. Zambia signed an agreement in October 2024 to manufacture cholera vaccine, as a Lusaka Times headline of 8 October 2024 reported. **Source:** Ministry of Health Facebook post, about 16:00 CAT, 19 October.