The World Health Organization (WHO) recently made a significant decision to help Africa combat a rapidly spreading mpox outbreak. On Friday, WHO announced that its partner organizations, such as Gavi and UNICEF, can start buying mpox vaccines even before they are officially approved by the U.N. health agency. This move is intended to speed up the delivery of vaccines to Africa, where the virus is spreading at an alarming rate.
Why Early Vaccine Purchase Is Crucial?
Traditionally, organizations like Gavi, which assists lower-income countries in purchasing vaccines, can only start buying vaccines after they have been approved by the WHO. However, due to the urgency of the situation, WHO has relaxed these rules. The goal is to kick-start negotiations and ensure that vaccines can reach those in need as soon as possible. The WHO’s formal approval of the vaccines is expected in a few weeks, but the need for immediate action has led to this exceptional decision.
Vaccines Already in Use:
Two vaccines, produced by Denmark’s Bavarian Nordic and Japan’s KM Biologics, are already approved by health regulators in various countries, including the United States and Japan. These vaccines have been widely used for mpox since 2022. In the United States alone, approximately 1.2 million people have received Bavarian Nordic’s vaccine. The WHO is anticipated to grant emergency licenses for these vaccines in September.
The Mpox Outbreak and WHO’s Response
Mpox is a viral infection that spreads through close physical contact. While the virus is usually mild, it can sometimes be deadly. The outbreak became more concerning recently when a new strain of the virus began spreading rapidly in the Democratic Republic of Congo and beyond. In response to this growing threat, the WHO declared mpox a public emergency of international concern last week.
Accelerating the Vaccine Approval Process
Earlier this month, the WHO asked vaccine manufacturers to provide information that would help speed up the approval process. The aim is to issue an emergency license for the vaccines by mid-September. However, the urgency of the situation has led to concerns about the availability of vaccines, particularly for lower-income countries.
Concerns Over Vaccine Supply
Bavarian Nordic, one of the vaccine manufacturers, expressed concern earlier this week that without immediate orders from organizations like Gavi and WHO, it would struggle to produce enough vaccines this year. This raises fears that lower-income countries might miss out on the necessary vaccines or have to rely on uncertain donations from wealthier nations, a situation reminiscent of the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Upcoming Vaccine Deliveries
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has announced that some donated mpox vaccines are expected to arrive in Africa next week. However, the agency has also indicated that around 10 million doses are needed to effectively combat the outbreak on the continent.
Statements from Key Stakeholders
A spokesperson for Bavarian Nordic commented on the WHO’s decision, stating, “While we see the news from WHO as a positive, we are not able to comment on specific negotiations. We will update the market in due time if and when orders materialize.” This cautious response highlights the ongoing uncertainty regarding vaccine availability.
Gavi, another key organization involved in the vaccine distribution efforts, emphasized that getting donated doses to countries and incorporating them into vaccination programs is the top priority. A Gavi spokesperson stated, “When it comes to procuring vaccines directly, since a public health emergency of international concern was announced last week, we have intensified our efforts, with near-daily contact with manufacturers. We are ready to go as soon as we get a clear picture on demand.”
KM Biologics, the other major vaccine manufacturer, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
As Africa faces a growing mpox outbreak, the WHO’s decision to allow early vaccine purchases is a critical step towards preventing the virus from spreading further. However, the success of these efforts will depend on the swift and coordinated actions of all involved organizations, including WHO, Gavi, UNICEF, and vaccine manufacturers. The world is watching closely, hoping that these early interventions will help contain the outbreak and save lives.
