Mexico turns to Moderna as homegrown Patria vaccine faces persistent delays
Mexico has inked a fresh pact to manufacture mRNA vaccines domestically, signaling a pivot in its COVID-19 strategy. The accord involves the Health Secretariat, Birmex, Liomont, and Moderna. Meanwhile, the homegrown Patria vaccine continues to grapple with delays and regulatory snags.
The Patria vaccine was initially unveiled by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador in February 2021. After two years of development and clinical trials, it secured the green light from Mexico's regulatory body, Cofepris, in October 2023. This made it the nation's first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine to gain official clearance.
However, production hiccups persist. President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo recently conceded that the vaccine still struggles to meet Cofepris testing benchmarks. The vaccine remains under scrutiny, casting doubt on its future accessibility.
In response, Mexico has embraced international collaborations. The new accord with Moderna will facilitate local production of mRNA vaccines. Sheinbaum Pardo affirmed that some doses would be procured directly from Moderna, while others would originate from diverse manufacturers.
The deal with Moderna seeks to bolster Mexico's vaccine stockpile while the Patria vaccine remains mired in issues. Officials have yet to establish a timeline for resolving the domestic vaccine's production woes. For now, imported doses will plug the gap in the country's immunisation drive.
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