Addis Ababa, Ethiopia- In a significant stride towards combating Mpox, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has announced a pivotal partnership to enhance the continent's fight against the virus. This collaboration marks a major milestone in Africa's public health response, as a leading vaccine manufacturer prepares to scale up production for the region.
Africa CDC Director General, Dr. Jean Kaseya, highlighted the goal of securing at least 10 million doses of the Mpox vaccine by the end of 2025. This target aligns with the estimated requirement to bring the current outbreak under control, particularly in the Central and Eastern Africa Regions.
Bavarian Nordic, a biotechnology company based in Denmark, has committed to ramping up vaccine manufacturing to ensure equitable access to the Mpox vaccine across Africa. This comes as Africa CDC declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security earlier this month, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to address the outbreak that has severely impacted several African nations.
In a recent statement, Bavarian Nordic affirmed its capability to produce the 10 million doses by the 2025 deadline, with the potential to deliver up to two million doses by the end of this year. This move has been lauded by Dr. Kaseya as a significant advancement in the ongoing battle against the virus. He emphasized that the partnership with Bavarian Nordic is not just about vaccine supply but also about fostering collaboration with local African vaccine manufacturers through technology transfer.
"The 10 million doses we are aiming for is a realistic goal. We have a concrete plan to have these doses available in Africa by the end of 2025," Dr. Kaseya stated during a press briefing on Tuesday August 20,2024. The briefing, held in the Democratic Republic of Congo, was part of Dr. Kaseya's consultations with key stakeholders, including affected countries, to ensure coordinated response efforts.
The agreement between Africa CDC and Bavarian Nordic includes plans to produce the Mpox vaccine in Africa, leveraging technology transfer to selected local manufacturers. This initiative is expected to bolster Africa's capacity to respond to future public health challenges.
Dr. Kaseya also acknowledged the European Union's support, which has been instrumental in securing over 200,000 doses of the vaccine already procured. "This announcement brings hope to our efforts," Africa CDC stated.
Despite these advancements, Mpox continues to spread, with a reported increase of 1,400 cases and 24 deaths in the past week alone. Thirteen African countries have recorded cases so far this year.
The Jynneos vaccine, also known as Imvanex, was initially developed and approved for smallpox, which is caused by a virus closely related to the Mpox virus.
Although the vaccine is currently approved by both the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for adults aged 18 and above, Bavarian Nordic is seeking approval from the World Health Organization (WHO) to extend its use to individuals under 18.
This is particularly crucial, as Africa CDC data indicates that younger populations are the most affected by the current outbreak in the affected Eastern and Central Regions.