Introduction to Pfizer’s Toluca Plant
Toluca, Edomex – Pfizer’s Toluca plant, the sole Mexican facility of the pharmaceutical company and one of three in Latin America, has assumed a strategic role and become a crucial vacccine supplier in the region.
Addressing Vaccination Challenges
In recent years, Mexico has experienced a decline in vaccination coverage due to misinformation and global shortages of biologics. Pfizer aims to raise awareness about vaccines while preparing for the launch of new vaccines, including those against neumococo veintevalente (protecting against 20 strains of neumococo) and the Virus Sincitial Respiratory (VSR).
Pfizer’s Commitment to Vaccination
Diana Cruz Salazar, director of Pfizer Toluca Manufacturing, stated to El Economista: “We have the Covid vaccine, one of our achievements during this health emergency; we also have neumococo, currently addressing 13 strains. Soon, we will launch an updated neumococo vaccine protecting against 20 strains and actively work on a VSR vaccine.”
“We are highly interested in promoting vaccination, not just in Mexico but globally. Over time, interest in vaccination has decreased, and we aim to reach every individual, motivating them to get vaccinated for greater immunological coverage and prevent diseases threatening us constantly.”
Manufacturing and Distribution
As part of Pfizer’s Global Supply network in 35 countries, the Toluca plant manufactures, labels, stores, and distributes products to ten Latin American countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, and Central America.
With 420 employees, the plant has an annual manufacturing capacity of 194 million units and receives $12-15 million annually for technology updates, new formulation development, and staying at the forefront in the sector.
“Our main focus is on launching these two upcoming vaccines as soon as possible this year,” Cruz Salazar anticipated.
She explained that while the plant doesn’t manufacture immunological products, it handles final packaging.
“Our neumococo vaccine comes from Ireland, and the VSR vaccine from Puurs, Belgium. We receive them and perform individual labeling and final packaging here, ensuring the cold chain is maintained at 2-8°C, with some vaccines requiring temperatures below zero.”
Low Vaccination Rates in Mexico
During Pfizer’s Toluca panel “From Birth to Aging: Vaccines for Life,” Dr. César Martínez, a pediatric and infectious disease specialist, noted that Mexico’s pediatric vaccination coverage is around 78-80%, down from 95% a few years ago.
“The primary reason for low coverage in Mexico is biologic shortages… Another factor is the lack of awareness. Young parents may question vaccinating their children against diseases like polio and diphtheria, which haven’t been reported in Mexico since 1991 and 1994, respectively.”
Dr. Luis Miguel Gutiérrez, a geriatrics and public health doctor, highlighted that life expectancy in Mexico has increased from 35 years a century ago to 75 years today, partly due to vaccination.
“To age well, there are three pillars: physical activity, nutrition, and increasingly clear, vaccination. I urge the Mexican government to allocate a fixed budget for population vaccination programs.”
He emphasized focusing efforts on middle-aged individuals (40-60 years) with significant morbidity, such as diabetics, those with excess weight, and those most exposed to infectious diseases.
Dr. Viridiana Cruz Rodríguez, a gynecology, obstetrics, and maternal-fetal medicine specialist, stressed the importance of vaccination during pregnancy to protect both mother and child.
