PAHO announces regional agreement to secure pandemic influenza vaccines for Latin America and the Caribbean

The Pan American Health Organization has entered into a new arrangement with CSL Seqirus designed to improve access to pandemic influenza vaccines for countries in Latin America and the Caribbean during any future influenza emergency.

A PAHO press release said the agreement sets up a pre-arranged allocation system in which a defined share of CSL Seqirus’ global production of pandemic influenza vaccines will be set aside for participating PAHO member states. Countries involved will be able to draw from an initial reserved pool of doses if a pandemic occurs.

PAHO described the initiative as part of efforts to strengthen regional readiness, shaped by lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. The system is intended to reduce uncertainty and improve vaccine availability when global demand spikes.

“This agreement is a direct response to the hard lessons of COVID-19 and a major step forward in strengthening health security and pandemic preparedness across the Americas,” said PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa.

He added: “Through our Regional Revolving Funds, countries are joining forces to secure a reserved share of vaccine production, helping protect those at risk when it matters most.”

Under the terms of the agreement, CSL Seqirus will take responsibility for advancing pandemic influenza vaccine development while also supporting technology transfer activities, drawing on its long-standing experience in influenza science and large-scale vaccine manufacturing.

Reportedly, production will also be partially carried out in Argentina through collaboration with Sinergium Biotech. PAHO noted that this element of the agreement is intended to strengthen regional production capacity and make supply chains more resilient, reflecting key lessons from the COVID-19 crisis.

David Ross, Executive Vice President and General Manager at CSL Seqirus, said: “This agreement puts pandemic preparedness best practices into action, bringing together reserved doses, regional manufacturing capability, and a long-term public-private commitment. We’re proud to establish this kind of partnership in Latin America and the Caribbean for the first time.”

Officials highlighted that the arrangement builds on earlier influenza vaccine cooperation between PAHO and CSL Seqirus, as well as sustained demand supported through PAHO’s Regional Revolving Funds. It is also expected to help further expand manufacturing capabilities within the region over time.

Sinergium Biotech President and CEO Alejandro Gil said: “This agreement builds on a long-standing collaborative relationship we have maintained with PAHO since 2021 and with CSL Seqirus since 2010. The infrastructure and human resource capacities developed at Sinergium over the past 15 years now enable us to guarantee countries in the region access to quality products to respond to future pandemics, in line with the regional strategies defined by PAHO. For Sinergium, it is a source of pride to be able to contribute in such a significant way to public health in the region,” said Gil.

PAHO said the deal followed an international competitive procurement process and roughly a year of negotiations. It is intended to shorten the time required to secure vaccines during health emergencies, when global supply is limited and competition among countries intensifies.

The organization also noted that middle-income countries have often faced structural disadvantages in accessing vaccines during global health crises. By pooling demand through its Regional Revolving Funds, PAHO aims to help participating countries negotiate more favorable conditions and improve equitable access in the global market.

Allocation of the reserved vaccine supply will be based on epidemiological data and risk assessments, with priority given to populations considered most vulnerable. PAHO explained that this approach allows the region to shift from reacting during crises to planning ahead with secured supply mechanisms in place.

PAHO Director Barbosa added: “For the first time, countries of the Americas are positioning themselves on more equal footing in a future global health emergency—not as individual markets, but as a region.” He further stated: “This agreement shows what is possible when we act together to leverage the power of pooled procurement.”

The organization emphasized that preparedness remains essential as avian influenza and other zoonotic viruses continue to circulate globally. It noted that influenza viruses, particularly those originating in animals, remain among the most likely pathogens to trigger future pandemics.