Malta vaccine taskforce

Abstract

As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of countries around the world have designated a vaccination task force to contribute to the rapid increase in demand for vaccines. This research investigated the feasibility of establishing a vaccine task force in Malta. A method of a cross sectional approach was utilised, and a validated set of questions were designed based on literature review which allowed for a discussion with the UK and the EU vaccine task forces. The task forces were interviewed online, and strategies used by those regions to establish a task force were identified. A focus group discussion was held with a senior public health officer, which investigated the political appetite and logistics of vaccine production, and analysed findings from the EU and UK vaccine task force interviews. Results obtained from the interview held with the UK stakeholders, showed that the primary strategy for the UK vaccine task force was to make the island an international vaccine production and distribution centre. The interview with the EU vaccine task force found that during 2021, one billion doses of vaccine were produced in the EU and five hundred million of them were delivered to European countries, resulting in a 70% vaccination rate of the EU adult population. The feasibility of setting up a vaccine task force within the Malta Medicines Authority was discussed with the focus group and it was suggested that any future vaccine task force should focus on 1) supporting setting up vaccine production units through technical and logistic advise 2) mapping international vaccine production capacities throughout the supply chain 3) accelerating partnership through vaccine events in Malta 4) conducting feasibility studies on long-term manufacturing capacity in Malta 5) facilitating international vaccine access. The primary objectives of these task forces revolved around identifying and reviewing vaccine production bottlenecks, regulatory affairs and vaccine research. Considering Malta has an Immunisation Advisory Committee who is responsible for the clinical aspect of vaccine, a future vaccine task force in Malta should be responsible for vaccine production and regulatory affairs.