WHO Allocates Nearly 900,000 Mpox Vaccine Doses to Hard-Hit African Nations
Geneva — In a strategic move to combat the mpox outbreak in Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO) and partner health organizations have allocated an initial 899,000 vaccine doses to nine African countries most affected by the virus. The vaccines are targeted for vulnerable populations across Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda.
The mpox surge, driven by a new variant, clade Ib, has prompted the WHO to declare a global public health emergency. The virus, which first emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and subsequently spread to neighboring countries, has led to more than 46,000 confirmed and suspected cases across the continent, resulting in over 1,000 deaths.
The DRC, as the most affected country, will receive the majority of these vaccines—approximately 85% of the total doses allocated. The vaccine supply has been secured from contributions by European countries, the United States, Canada, and Gavi, a global health alliance that funds vaccines for low-income countries. Following criticisms over delayed vaccine response, the WHO recently approved Bavarian Nordic’s vaccine and is evaluating Japan’s LC16 vaccine from KM Biologics as a further option to curb the outbreak.
The WHO has also established a support scheme to ensure equitable access to mpox vaccines, tests, and treatments for the world’s poorest nations, similar to the approach taken during the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative underscores the global health agency’s commitment to protecting vulnerable populations and controlling mpox spread in resource-limited settings.
Source: Reuters
