The draft human 'pangenome' is a preliminary collection of reference human genome sequences, with more to follow (W.-W. Liao et al. Nature 617, 312-324;2023). However, humanity's genetic variability cannot be captured simply by sequencing the genomes of more people. Genome selection and analysis need to be founded on the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Before the next phase of the
To help achieve self-reliance in health security, the African Union aims to increase the continent's production of vaccines from 1% to 60% of the doses it needs by 2040 (see go.nature.com/43yezas). The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) will guide the manufacture and distribution of these vaccines across Africa and will develop funding mechanisms.
The Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing will need to coordinate on technology transfer and intellectual property, as well as on meeting the World Health Organization's prequalification requirements for vaccines, gathering information on market shaping and demand, setting trading policies, undertaking research and development and creating a manufacturing workforce.
To encourage African investment, the 55 African Union member states, along with vaccine-purchasing bodies -such as the United Nations children's charity UNICEF and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliancemust set price premiums and obtain market commitments. This will also help to tailor vaccine supply to demand.
The Africa CDC recommends rolling out eight programmes to implement these plans (see go.nature.com/3peqyis