This week the European Commission delivered approximately 100,000 mpox vaccine doses to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). These is the first delivery of the vaccine to the country, with a second batch of further 100,000 vaccines expected to arrive in the coming days.
The vaccines are part of the 215,000 MVA-BN® vaccine doses that the European Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) pledged to share to affected countries in Africa as an immediate response to the mpox outbreak.
“These vaccines are vital in safeguarding our health workers and vulnerable populations, and in curbing the spread of mpox. This milestone is a statement to the strong partnership between Africa CDC, the European Union through the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), and Bavarian Nordic. We are fully committed to leaving no one behind in our mission to protect our people and control this outbreak,” said Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC.
An additional 351,500 of doses from France, Germany, Spain, Malta, Portugal, Luxembourg, Croatia, Austria and Poland, will be donated to the Africa CDC to distribute to affected countries.
Since the start of 2024, DRC has reported over 4,901 confirmed mpox cases, with more than 629 associated deaths, representing a sharp escalation in both infections and fatalities compared to previous years.
Following the declaration of Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) by Africa CDC on 13 August 2024, an urgent appeal was made to the international community to secure vaccines for African nations.
“The shipment of these vaccines is an important health milestone as they will help protect communities, particularly health workers and those at risk,” said Grant Leaity, UNICEF Representative. UNICEF is committed to supporting the Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Prevention in the distribution of these vaccines, and to supporting vaccination operations to ensure that they reach the most vulnerable people”.
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