In a move to combat the ongoing Mpox outbreak, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has granted Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF approval to procure mpox vaccines ahead of the pending Emergency Use Listing (EUL) ruling.
This decision comes as the Mpox virus continues to spread rapidly, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other African nations, where cases have surged alarmingly in 2024.
Recognising the urgent need for vaccines, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus authorised Gavi and UNICEF to begin procuring vaccines, even though the EUL process for these vaccines is still underway.
“While we anticipate the Emergency Use Listing decision in the coming weeks, I have given the green light for Gavi and UNICEF to begin vaccine procurement immediately. This step is vital to ensure that we are not delayed in our efforts to control this outbreak,” he stated.
The Mpox virus, closely related to smallpox, has seen a resurgence, particularly in Africa. The WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) due to the spread of the new clade 1b virus, which has proven to be particularly dangerous for children.
As of late August 2024, over 22,000 suspected cases have been reported in the DRC alone, with more than 1,200 suspected deaths. The virus has also spread to neighbouring countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, as well as to non-African nations like Sweden and Thailand.
Dr Ghebreyesus emphasised the ongoing challenges associated with Mpox in Africa, as well as the recent international attention the disease has garnered.
“Today, with the international community’s attention, we are better positioned to develop diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines,” he added.
The global health community is relying on these vaccines, originally developed to fight smallpox, to manage the Mpox outbreak. However, there is a significant gap in vaccine distribution, with many African countries still waiting for doses. The Africa CDC has called for 10 million doses by 2025 to address the crisis, with the DRC alone seeking 3.5 million doses.
The situation is further complicated by the emergence of new Mpox variants that pose a greater risk to children. UNICEF reports that children under 15 account for 56% of current cases, with a disproportionately high fatality rate among them.
Dr Ghebreyesus underlined that vaccinations alone will not be sufficient to stop the Mpox epidemic. While vaccines play a major role in disease control, they are only one part of a broader strategy. Several other critical actions are required to effectively control the outbreak.
He mentioned various measures, including: providing PCR machines for accurate testing and monitoring of the disease; increasing the healthcare workforce to ensure adequate staffing for patient care and management; involving affected communities in planning and implementing response strategies to ensure interventions are culturally sensitive and effective; and equipping health workers with the latest knowledge and techniques for effective outbreak response.
Dr Ghebreyesus stated, “The Mpox outbreak highlights the critical need for a legally-binding international agreement to ensure a coordinated and fair response to pandemics. I urge all Member States to actively engage in these essential negotiations.”
Germany is one of the countries that has stepped forward, offering 100,000 vaccine doses to affected African countries, with the doses expected to come from the country’s military stockpile. Other countries, however, have been slower to act, with ongoing negotiations putting pressure on nations to contribute to the global Mpox response.
The European Commission has requested member countries to communicate their intentions to donate vaccines by the end of August 2024, reflecting the urgency of the situation.
The US government has also donated 10,000 doses of the Mpox vaccine, which will primarily be given to those most at risk—such as close contacts of confirmed cases and frontline healthcare workers—in Nigeria.
With the virus continuing to spread and evolve, the need for a comprehensive and effective response has never been more critical. The coming months will be pivotal in determining whether the global health community can successfully curb the spread of Mpox and prevent further loss of life.
