EU to donate 215,000 vaccines for mpox response in Africa

The European Union (EU) health emergency preparedness and response authority (HERA) says it will donate 215,000 vaccine doses in response to the mpox outbreak in Africa.

In a statement on Wednesday, the commission said it will procure 175,420 doses of the Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN) mpox vaccine.

The pharmaceutical company will also donate 40,000 vaccine doses to HERA.

The MVA-BN vaccine is a non-replicating smallpox vaccine and the only mpox vaccine approved in the EU.

It has been approved for use in individuals 18 years and older.

“The Africa CDC will distribute the vaccines according to regional needs. Through the Africa CDC, these vaccines will be distributed to affected countries,” the statement reads.

“Furthermore, HERA is in collaboration with the Africa CDC with the aim to expand access to mpox diagnostics and sequencing in the region, with a €3.5 million grant foreseen for early autumn.”

Stella Kyriakides, EU commissioner for health and food safety, said strong global partnerships are at the core of the European Health Union, adding that health threats know no borders.

“Preparedness and response to health threats is a global endeavour which we are determined to pursue collectively and with solidarity across borders,” she said.

Jean Kaseya, director-general of Africa CDC, said the body is grateful for the swift response from the commission and Bavarian Nordic.

“The donation of over 215,000 doses from Bavarian Nordic is a crucial step in our fight against this crisis. This partnership not only delivers essential vaccines but also underscores our collective commitment to safeguarding health across Africa,” he said.

“It exemplifies the power of international collaboration in addressing public health emergencies.

“Together, we will strengthen our response efforts and ensure that communities across the continent receive the protection they need.”

On Tuesday, Africa CDC declared mpox a “public health emergency of continental security”.

Over 13,700 cases and 450 deaths have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo since the turn of the year.

The virus has also spread to Burundi, Central African Republic (CAR), Kenya, and Rwanda.