The World Health Organization (WHO) and partner health organizations have announced the allocation of 899,000 vaccine doses to nine African nations hit hardest by the ongoing mpox outbreak. This significant move aims to curb the spread of the viral disease, which has led to over 46,000 confirmed and suspected cases in Africa this year.
The WHO declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years in August after a new variant, clade Ib, emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and spread to neighboring countries. The decision to reclassify the disease underscores the growing concern over its impact on public health, particularly in regions with limited access to vaccines and medical resources.
In response to mounting criticism over its delayed vaccine rollout, the WHO approved the Bavarian Nordic vaccine for mpox in September. The global health body also announced that it is reviewing an alternative vaccine, LC16, developed by Japan’s KM Biologics. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to ensure that vulnerable populations in the world’s poorest countries have access to vaccines, treatments, and diagnostic tools, much like the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The newly allocated vaccines will be distributed to the Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda. The Democratic Republic of Congo, the epicenter of the outbreak, will receive the largest share, with 85% of the total vaccine doses allocated to the country.
These vaccines are sourced from European countries, the United States, Canada, and Gavi, a public-private health alliance that supports vaccine procurement for low-income countries.
As of the latest figures from the WHO, more than 1,000 people have died from mpox in Africa this year, further emphasizing the need for urgent global action to control the disease. The WHO’s coordinated response highlights the growing recognition of the importance of global solidarity in tackling health emergencies.
