The Management of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) has inaugurated the ISTH Vaccine Group (ISTH-VAG) with the goal of building vaccine and therapeutic sovereignty for Nigeria. The inauguration took place recently at the hospital’s boardroom.

The Chief Medical Director/CEO of ISTH, Prof. Reuben Eifediyi, who is the initiator and Technical Lead of the group, noted that Nigeria has several policies that encourage vaccine production but still lacks the capacity to build a cold supply chain. He called for a transition from research to vaccine development, stressing that the absence of local vaccine development is a matter of national insecurity. He also stated that the aim is to make Africa 60% reliant on vaccines produced within the continent by 2063.

Prof. Eifediyi added that the key to winning against the next pandemic is to build strong laboratories and develop antiviral vaccines. The immediate past CMD of the hospital and Advisor of ISTH-VAG, Prof. Sylvanus Okogbenin, lauded the initiative and expressed optimism for its success, while pledging his support to the cause.

In a PowerPoint presentation, Dr. Yemihan Ogbetere, a member of ISTH-VAG, explained that one of the group’s objectives is to position ISTH as a reference center for vaccine production not only in Nigeria but across West Africa, while also promoting vaccine literacy.

Dr. Cyril Erameh, a member of ISTH-VAG and Chairman of the Vaccine Committee, appreciated the CMD for the initiative on behalf of the group and expressed commitment to the work. ISTH-VAG is composed of the CMD, Prof. Reuben Eifediyi as Technical Lead; Prof. Sylvanus Okogbenin as Advisor; Dr. Sheila Ojor as Secretary; and members Dr. Cyril Erameh, Dr. Joseph Okoeguale, Dr. Yemihan Ogbetere, Dr. Sebastine Oiwoh, Dr. Qudus Lawal, Dr. Alphonsus Aigbiremolen, Dr. Osahon Otaigbe, and Dr. Esele Ekuaze.

The inauguration of ISTH-VAG marks a significant step toward strengthening Nigeria’s vaccine development capacity and advancing public health security across the region.