Get the Latest Updates on Gavi's $500 Million Vaccine Fund for MPOX Outbreak in Africa
By Jennifer Rigby
Are you looking for the latest news on global vaccine group Gavi's efforts to combat the escalating MPOX outbreak in Africa? Look no further! Gavi's chief executive, Sania Nishtar, has revealed that the organization has up to $500 million to spend on getting shots to affected countries.
Gavi, known for helping countries with fewer resources buy and deploy vaccines, has expanded its efforts beyond childhood diseases like measles to tackle broader health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The money is available in Gavi's "First Response" fund, set up after high-income countries left global health agencies behind in vaccine procurement during the early days of COVID.
The funds, largely leftover from donations for the COVID response, can now be used to respond to the health emergency declared by the World Health Organization and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention this week. However, there are still hurdles to clear, including official requests for vaccines from affected countries and approvals from the World Health Organization, which declared MPOX a global health emergency on Wednesday.
Gavi and UNICEF, partners in vaccine procurement, cannot proceed without WHO approval. Talks are underway with manufacturers like Bavarian Nordic and KM Biologics, who produce widely used MPOX vaccines. Bavarian Nordic has the capacity to produce 10 million doses by the end of 2025, but official orders can only proceed after WHO approval.
While Bavarian Nordic and KM Biologics are willing to cooperate with WHO, countries like the United States have already donated doses. However, the Democratic Republic of Congo, severely affected by the outbreak, has yet to make an official request for vaccines, causing delays in deployment plans.
In a press conference, Congo's health minister stated the country needs 3 million vaccine doses and emphasized the importance of international support. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing situation!