An initial 899 000 vaccine doses have been allocated for the nine African countries being pummelled by the mpox surge, said the WHO and other health organisations last week.
The viral infection was declared a global public health emergency for the second time in two years in August after a new variant, called clade Ib, spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighbouring countries.
In September, after criticism for dragging its heels on vaccines, the WHO cleared Bavarian Nordic’s Jynneos jab for mpox and said it was considering LC16, made by Japan’s KM Biologics, as a potential option.
The agency also established a scheme to help take mpox vaccines, tests and treatments to the most vulnerable people in the world's poorest countries, reports Reuters.
The newly allocated vaccines will go to South Africa, Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, the DRC, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda and Uganda.
The largest number of doses – 85% of the allocated vaccines – will go to the DRC as the most affected country.
The vaccines are coming from European countries, the US, Canada and Gavi, the public-private alliance that co-funds vaccine purchases for low-income countries.
So far this year, there have been more than 46 000 confirmed and suspected cases in Africa and more than 1 000 deaths.
Reuters article – Vaccine doses allocated for 9 African countries hardest hit by mpox (Open access)
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