The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a significant shift in its vaccine procurement policy to expedite the delivery of mpox vaccines to Africa. The organization has granted permission to partners like Gavi, which assists lower-income countries in accessing vaccines, and UNICEF to begin purchasing mpox vaccines before they receive official WHO approval. This move aims to accelerate the delivery of much-needed inoculations to the continent, which is facing an escalating mpox outbreak.
Traditionally, organizations like Gavi are required to wait for WHO approval before initiating vaccine purchases. However, the WHO has relaxed this rule in this instance, recognizing the urgency of the situation. This decision comes as the WHO is expected to grant emergency use authorization to two mpox vaccines, developed by Denmark’s Bavarian Nordic and Japan’s KM Biologics, within a few weeks. These vaccines have already secured approval from regulatory bodies around the world, including the United States and Japan, and have been widely used since 2022. Notably, the United States alone has administered over 1.2 million doses of Bavarian Nordic’s vaccine.
The WHO’s decision to allow pre-approval purchases stems from concerns about potential delays in vaccine access for lower-income countries. Earlier this month, the WHO requested vaccine manufacturers to expedite their approval process and aimed to grant emergency licensing by mid-September. However, this week, Bavarian Nordic, one of the vaccine manufacturers, expressed a need for immediate orders from organizations like Gavi and the WHO to ensure sufficient production of vaccines this year. This raised concerns that low-income nations might face delays or be forced to rely on donations from wealthier countries, a scenario witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite these concerns, some donated mpox vaccines are scheduled to arrive in Africa next week, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. This move signifies a commitment to supporting the continent in its fight against the mpox outbreak.
The WHO’s decision to allow early vaccine purchases marks a crucial step in addressing the urgent needs of Africa in the face of the escalating mpox outbreak. By streamlining the procurement process, the WHO hopes to ensure equitable access to vaccines and contribute to a more effective response to this public health challenge.
