In order to strengthen cooperation in prevention and control of epidemic diseases and promote international scientific and technological cooperation and exchange in vaccine research and development, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) held their second joint science committee meeting on the evening of November 23, 2021.

 

Chen Linhao, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation, MOST, and Richard Hatchett, Chief Executive Officer of CEPI, delivered opening remarks. The meeting was chaired by Helen Rees, Executive Director of the Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute of the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, and Academician Gao Fu, Director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Members of the MOST-CEPI Joint Science Committee attended the meeting. Other participants included the Chief Scientist of WHO and Executive Director of COVAX invited by CEPI, and representatives of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Health Commission and the National Medical Products Administration invited by MOST. Melanie Saville, Director of Vaccine Research and Development, CEPI, and Zheng Zhongwei, Head of the Vaccine R&D Group, briefed the participants on the R&D progress of vaccines supported by CEPI and China. The participants had a lively discussion on immune attenuation, booster shots, second-generation vaccine candidates, co-injection with influenza vaccine, and further cooperation between the two sides.

 

The Joint Science Committee has built a platform for cooperation between China and CEPI. The two sides will continue to maintain close communication and conduct regular exchanges on scientific issues related to vaccine development.