0
0
Buenos Aires, March 6, 2026 (PAHO) — The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) announced a technology transfer agreement for the cell-based production of seasonal influenza vaccines, coordinated with CSL Seqirus, using technology developed at its facility in the United States, and Sinergium, based in Argentina.
This initiative will modernize and strengthen local and regional vaccine production capacity by incorporating a more advanced platform than those traditionally used. The announcement was made during a visit to Argentina by PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa.
“Regional vaccine production is an essential component of health security in the Americas. This agreement represents a concrete step to strengthen the region’s technological capacity, reduce external dependencies, and improve our preparedness for future epidemics and pandemics,” Barbosa said.
Unlike traditional egg-based methods, cell-based technology offers greater flexibility, scalability, and consistency in production processes, helping optimize manufacturing timelines, increase efficiency, and facilitate the development of seasonal influenza vaccines, including those with pandemic potential.
The agreement builds on the experience of PAHO’s Regional Revolving Funds in planning and consolidating vaccine demand across the region, as well as coordinating with countries, which helps ensure greater predictability and sustainability in access to these health technologies.
Thanks to PAHO’s strategy to strengthen regional vaccine manufacturing, Argentina now supplies about half of the seasonal influenza vaccines purchased for countries in the Americas through PAHO’s Revolving Fund, compared with only 8% previously. In addition, through pooled procurement and larger purchase volumes, the price of the vaccine produced in the country has decreased by approximately 15%. The agreement positions Argentina as a strategic supplier in the Americas and contributes to strengthening regional competitiveness in vaccine production.
“Argentina has a strong biotechnology base and highly qualified human resources,” said Santiago Cornejo, Executive Manager of PAHO’s Regional Revolving Funds. “As a result of this new technology transfer, the country is expected not only to strengthen its production capacity, but also to expand the regional supply of vaccines and consolidate its role as a strategic player in the global market,” he added.
The new platform is expected to become operational around 2028, with an estimated production capacity of up to 400 million doses annually, once it reaches full operation.
The proposed strategy and efforts to expand regional production of other vaccines, such as PCV20 and hepatitis A, together with seasonal influenza vaccines, could generate exports for the country of up to $250 million annually through the Revolving Funds. With four-year multi-year commitments, exports could reach $1 billion in advanced biological products.
This initiative is part of PAHO’s technical cooperation agenda to strengthen health resilience in the region. In Argentina, it builds on recent progress, including the introduction of the PCV20 vaccine through the Revolving Fund, support for a local mRNA vaccine development project, and the signing of agreements with the country’s 24 jurisdictions to facilitate their participation in PAHO’s Strategic Fund. These actions support a national agenda aimed at expanding production, availability, and equitable access to critical health tools.
About influenza
Seasonal influenza represents a significant public health burden in the Americas. According to recent analyses in six South American countries with a combined population of 307 million people, PAHO estimates that, each year during the 2015–2019 influenza seasons, an average of between 51 and 78 million mild to moderate influenza cases occurred, affecting 16% to 25% of the population, along with between 323,379 and 490,049 hospitalizations and between 22,662 and 46,971 deaths.
Vaccination is a key strategy to prevent severe complications and reduce influenza-related hospitalizations and deaths. Studies show that currently available influenza vaccines are safe and effective in preventing hospitalizations and complications from the disease, with estimated effectiveness ranging from 30% to 75%, depending on the age group, the season, and the match between the vaccine and circulating strains.
About the PAHO Regional Revolving Funds
PAHO’s Regional Revolving Funds — composed of the Revolving Fund for Access to Vaccines (in operation for more than 40 years) and the Regional Revolving Fund for Strategic Public Health Supplies — are technical cooperation mechanisms that help consolidate regional demand, leverage economies of scale, and negotiate transparently with suppliers. This approach reduces costs, strengthens national immunization and health programs, and contributes to the control and elimination of diseases across the Americas.
Through these Funds, PAHO works with Member States to strengthen production and supply capacities for vaccines and other essential medical technologies, with the goal of ensuring equitable access across the region. This work includes demand planning, pooled procurement, logistics strengthening, regulatory support, technical assistance, and the development of national capacities to respond rapidly and effectively to outbreaks and health emergencies.
