Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has secured 500,000 doses of the Mpox vaccine to address the ongoing outbreak in several African countries, it was announced on Wednesday, September 18.
These vaccines are scheduled for delivery in 2024, marking a significant step in the continent’s fight against the disease.
The agreement, made with Bavarian Nordic, ensures rapid access to the vaccines, with funding provided by Gavi’s First Response Fund.
This fund, established in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, aims to guarantee timely access to essential vaccine supplies during health crises.
The vaccines will be distributed across Africa by UNICEF, pending the finalization of a supply agreement.
As of the end of week 35 this year, Africa has reported a total of 26,544 Mpox cases, 5,732 of which were confirmed, with 724 deaths across 15 African Union (AU) member states.
According to the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the case fatality rate on the continent stands at 2.73%.
In Nigeria, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported 67 confirmed cases from 1,031 suspected cases in 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Fortunately, no fatalities have been recorded in the country, although suspected cases have been reported in nearly all states except Borno.
Nigeria recently received 10,000 doses of the Jynneos Mpox vaccine from the United States government, adding to its efforts to curb the spread of the disease.
However, the additional 500,000 doses secured by Gavi are expected to bolster these efforts further.
Bavarian Nordic’s MVA-BN vaccine, which has been proven effective during the global Mpox outbreak in 2022, received prequalification from the World Health Organization (WHO) on September 13.
This prequalification paves the way for vaccine distribution once the final agreements with UNICEF are signed.
The First Response Fund is critical in ensuring that vaccines are available swiftly during health emergencies like Mpox.
Gavi’s Chief Executive Officer, Sania Nishtar, emphasized the importance of working with affected governments and partners to ensure the vaccines are administered quickly and effectively.
Looking ahead, Gavi is also committed to building a global vaccine stockpile to address future outbreaks, provided sufficient funding is secured for its efforts through 2030.
