Promised Mpox vaccines for Africa delayed as outbreak intensifies

Time to read: 0 minutes, 58 seconds

9 September 2024, 09:30 

Despite promises that the mpox vaccine is on its way, none of the African countries most affected by the clade 1b variant outbreak has received a single dose.

According to The Guardian (4 September), while Nigeria recently received its first shipment, no further deliveries have been made to high-burden regions such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda, or Kenya.

Here's what we know so far:

After the mpox outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, the WHO lifted use-listing restrictions on the vaccine, enabling Gavi and UNICEF to begin procuring doses ahead of the WHO’s emergency use listing or prequalification process. 

Last week, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that vaccine deliveries to the DRC were imminent. However, nearly a week later, there has been no indication that the pledged doses, including 175,000 from the European Commission and 50,000 from the U.S., have materialized.

Africa’s reliance on wealthier nations for vaccines underscores long-standing disparities in global healthcare, often leaving the continent last in line for life-saving treatments. 

This current delay is primarily due to limited funding for purchasing vaccines. Only 10% of the $245 million requested by the WHO to address the outbreak has been raised.

The cost of the pox MVA-BN vaccine, estimated at $50 to $75 per dose, further exacerbates the situation. If the price remains unchanged, Gavi’s current funds would only cover vaccinations for approximately 3.3 million people—far short of the African CDC’s estimate of 10 million doses (5 million people) needed across the continent. 

Moreover, if vaccine prices do not decrease, Gavi’s allocated funds, intended to last seven years, may be depleted before the current outbreak is contained or before the continent can adequately prepare for future outbreaks.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and other civil society organizations have called on Gavi and UNICEF to use their negotiating power to secure lower vaccine prices for low- and middle-income countries and to ensure that public funds are used transparently and effectively.

Meanwhile, the outbreak continues to escalate, with cases surging from 1,200 to nearly 4,000 in just one week.

As is often the case in these situations, children are bearing the brunt of the disease, with the WHO reporting a mortality rate of up to 8% in children aged 15 years and younger.

 The situation is rapidly becoming critical, and the risks of it spiralling out of control are increasing.

In light of these developments, it seems little has been learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. We wait to see what the week ahead holds.

 

The following sources were used to compile this article:
4 September 2024 | The Guardian | African nations hit by mpox still waiting for vaccines – despite promises by the west
27 August 2024 | Access Campaign | CSO call on GAVI to demand affordable price of mpox vaccine

Access more articles related to Mpox

27 August  2024 | WHO | First-ever delivery of mpox vaccines in Africa outside of clinical trials arrives in Nigeria
31 August 2024 | UNICEF Issues Emergency Tender for Mpox Vaccines as Global Response Intensifies
26 August 2024 | Health Department calls for calm following WHO's declaration of Mpox as a Public Health Emergency


Access all Mpox articles & resources

Disclaimer
This article is compiled from various resources researched and compiled by the contributor. It is in no way presented as an original work.  Every effort has been made to correctly attribute quotes and content. Where possible all information has been independently verified. The Medical Education Network bears no responsibility for any inaccuracies which may occur from the use of third-party sources. If you have any queries regarding this article contact us 

Fact-checking Policy
The Medical Education Network makes every effort to review and fact-check the articles used as source material in our summaries and original material. We have strict guidelines in relation to the publications we use as our source data, favouring peer-reviewed research wherever possible. Every effort is made to ensure that the information contained here is an accurate reflection of the original material. Should you find inaccuracies, out of date content or have any additional issues with our articles, please make use of the contact us form to notify us.