Countries donate mpox vaccines to combat African outbreak

In a significant show of global solidarity, numerous countries have pledged to donate doses of mpox vaccines to combat the ongoing outbreak in Africa. This comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox (previously known as monkeypox) a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following the alarming resurgence of the disease in August 2023.

The donations aim to address the stark inequity faced by African nations during the 2022 mpox outbreak, where limited access to vaccines left many countries vulnerable despite the disease’s widespread impact. The WHO, alongside partner organizations like Gavi, has emphasized the urgent need for an equitable global distribution of vaccines to curb the spread of the virus and protect the most vulnerable populations.

The following countries and organizations have committed to donating doses of the mpox vaccine, produced by Denmark's Bavarian Nordic and Japan's KM Biologics, in an effort to contain the outbreak:

Canada

Canada has promised to donate up to 200,000 doses of mpox vaccines. A government spokesperson highlighted on September 12 that the number of doses to be sent will depend on the recipient countries’ ability to store and administer the vaccines effectively. This conditional commitment reflects the logistical challenges faced by some African nations in vaccine distribution.

France

France has pledged to donate 100,000 doses of mpox vaccines, tailoring its support to "locally identified needs." This flexible approach allows the country to target areas where the outbreak is most severe. France’s health ministry provided the update in a September 16 statement.

Germany

On August 26, Germany committed to donating 100,000 doses from its military stocks. This immediate action aims to help African nations control the outbreak in the short term while long-term vaccination strategies are developed.

Japan

Japan made the largest single-country pledge, announcing on September 13 that it will donate 3 million doses of KM Biologics' LC16 vaccine. Japan's significant contribution has been hailed by the WHO as a critical step in supporting African nations in their fight against the outbreak.

Spain

Spain has pledged to donate 500,000 doses, which represents 20% of its national stockpile. On August 27, the Spanish health ministry also called on the European Commission to encourage all European Union (EU) member states to follow its lead and donate 20% of their respective stockpiles to ensure an EU-wide coordinated response.

United States

The U.S. government has made multiple contributions to combat the mpox outbreak. On August 22, the U.S. State Department announced a donation of 50,000 doses of Bavarian Nordic’s vaccine to the Democratic Republic of Congo, accompanied by financial support for vaccine deployment. In addition, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) pledged to send 10,000 doses to Nigeria on August 27.

European Union

The European Union has committed to sharing 215,000 doses of mpox vaccines with affected African countries. To facilitate this, the EU's Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) agreed in August to procure 175,420 doses of Bavarian Nordic’s vaccine for the African CDC. In addition, the Danish company has pledged to donate an extra 40,000 doses. The EU also urged member states to coordinate their vaccine donations through collective efforts rather than individual actions, to ensure the most efficient and equitable distribution.

Gavi Vaccine Alliance

Gavi, a global public-private partnership that helps fund vaccines for low-income countries, announced on September 18 that it would purchase 500,000 doses of Bavarian Nordic’s mpox vaccine for distribution across Africa. These vaccines are expected to be delivered before the end of the year, contributing to ongoing efforts to vaccinate vulnerable populations.

Tackling Vaccine Inequity

The global response to the mpox outbreak in Africa reflects a growing awareness of the need to correct the vaccine inequities seen in previous public health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic. African nations, despite being among the hardest hit by mpox, were left without adequate vaccine supplies during the global outbreak in 2022. This time, concerted international efforts aim to ensure that the continent is not left behind.

The WHO has called on wealthier nations and global health organizations to expedite donations and ensure that vaccines reach areas most in need. With support from partners like Gavi and the Africa CDC, African countries are now receiving the resources necessary to combat the outbreak and prevent future waves of infection.

As countries continue to contribute vaccines, the hope is that these collective efforts will not only mitigate the current outbreak but also lay the foundation for more equitable access to healthcare in future global health emergencies.