In a significant move to curb the ongoing mpox outbreak, 15,460 doses of mpox vaccine donated by Bavarian Nordic have arrived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), marking a crucial addition to the global response effort. The doses landed in Kinshasa, the nation’s capital, and will bolster the 215,000 vaccine doses donated by the European Union last week.
The DRC has become the epicenter of the global mpox outbreak, accounting for approximately 94% of all reported cases and 99% of related deaths worldwide. Between January 1 and August 31, 2024, the outbreak resulted in 5,265 confirmed cases, 18,737 suspected cases, and 617 deaths across Africa. The DRC alone reported 4,799 confirmed cases, 17,801 suspected cases, and 610 deaths, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, said it has taken swift action to support the vaccination drive in the DRC and other affected regions. Gavi CEO Dr. Sania Nishtar emphasized the urgent need to distribute the vaccines efficiently, stating, “Our first priority is to work with our partners to ensure these and other vaccines reach those who need them, as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
In response to the escalating crisis, Gavi has unlocked $2.9 million in emergency funding under its Fragility, Emergencies, and Displaced Populations (FED) Policy. This funding will support the roll-out of vaccines in the DRC, which has already secured national regulatory approval for the JYNNEOS mpox vaccine produced by Bavarian Nordic. The country plans to commence vaccination in the coming weeks.
The WHO and Africa CDC in August declared an emergency for the mpox outbreak, a move by Gavi allowed it to reprogram existing funding to aid affected countries. The Vaccine Alliance said it is also engaging with other African nations to secure regulatory approvals that will enable them to receive additional vaccine doses. Meanwhile, Africa CDC and the World Health Organization are reportedly collaborating to finalize a distribution mechanism for the scarce vaccine supplies.
Beyond facilitating donated doses, Gavi said it is in negotiations with vaccine manufacturers to procure additional vaccines directly. The organization said it activated its First Response Fund to finance these efforts and is working closely with partners such as UNICEF to deliver the vaccines and set up a stockpile for future outbreaks. Gavi noted that its public-private model aims to not only address the current outbreak but also strengthen resilient health systems across the continent.