Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance has announced plans to establish a global stockpile of Mpox vaccines.
This following the declaration of a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
In a statement, Gavi said in its next five-year strategic period, beginning 2026, it will establish a global stockpile of Mpox vaccines similar to its existing stockpiles for cholera, Ebola, meningitis and yellow fever vaccines.
“Establishment of a stockpile is pending the availability of WHO Emergency Use Listing or prequalification of a recommended vaccine, and subject to fundraising for Gavi’s next strategic period.” The statement read, adding that “A critical goal will be ensuring the design of the stockpile is informed by a robust assessment of the long-term public health need.”
Gavi noted that it will support outbreak response in the Democratic Republic of Congo- DRC, and surrounding countries as well as make critical investments in a learning agenda that will ensure the current response will help inform and improve future vaccination efforts against the disease, including the design of a global stockpile.
The announcement by Gavi comes in the wake of Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda reporting their first-ever Mpox infections in the past month.
According to Africa CDC, at least 13 African countries, including previously unaffected nations like Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, have reported Mpox outbreaks.
So far in 2024, these countries have confirmed 2,863 cases and 517 deaths, primarily in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The institution noted that the suspected cases across the continent have surged past 17,000, a significant increase from 7,146 cases in 2022 and 14,957 cases in 2023 adding that, is just the tip of the iceberg considering the many weaknesses in surveillance, laboratory testing and contact tracing.
Mpox spread and symptoms
Mpox, formerly monkeypox is a viral disease endemic in Central and West Africa. It can be transmitted through physical contact with an infected person, animal or contaminated materials.
Symptoms include skin rash or lesions, accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.
Mpox came to global prominence two years ago after cases emerged across the world amid the COVID-19 pandemic. That outbreak was declared a public health emergency of international concern in July 2022 and ended the following May.
Also read https://www.kbc.co.ke/eac-calls-for-heightened-public-awareness-to-combat-spread-of-mpox/
https://www.kbc.co.ke/africa-cdc-declares-mpox-a-public-health-emergency/
