As the world grapples with recurring viral outbreaks, Africa finds itself on the front lines of an escalating mpox crisis. Despite millions of vaccine doses lying unused in wealthy nations, the continent faces a severe shortage, preventing a robust response to the outbreak. The current mpox situation has laid bare the disparities in global vaccine distribution, with devastating consequences for affected populations in Africa.
The disease has taken a strong foothold in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighboring countries, where over 37,500 infections and 1,451 deaths have been recorded in 2023. According to estimates from Africa’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 18 to 22 million vaccine doses are needed to protect 10 million people in the next six months, particularly in light of a new strain of the virus, clade Ib, which spreads more easily through close contact.
Yet, fewer than 4 million doses have been pledged for donation, leaving a massive gap in the global response to this public health emergency. Disease experts argue that the vaccines currently stockpiled by wealthy nations could make a significant impact if distributed to Africa. These vaccines were originally stored by countries such as Japan, the United States, and Canada in anticipation of a potential smallpox resurgence, a disease related to mpox but far more deadly. Some of these doses were used during the 2022 global mpox outbreak, but the majority remain unused.
Vaccine Stockpiles: A Political Problem, Not a Technical One
Maria Van Kerkhove, acting head of pandemic and epidemic prevention at the World Health Organization (WHO), highlighted the political nature of the current vaccine inequity. "It’s not a technical question, it’s a political one," she told Reuters. "Vaccines are useless on shelves. Why wouldn’t we get them to the people who need them right now?"
Van Kerkhove, along with Africa's CDC and other health authorities, has been advocating for more donations to curb the mpox outbreak. Despite their efforts, the global response has been slow and fragmented, raising concerns about the preparedness of wealthier nations to address viral threats in regions that do not directly affect them.
Peter Maybarduk, access to medicines director at the U.S.-based consumer group Public Citizen, emphasized the dangers of this inaction. "The disinterest in mpox and other viral threats where they emerge is a significant danger to people the world over," he said.
A Widening Gap in Vaccine Access
The vaccines recommended by the WHO to combat mpox include Bavarian Nordic's Jynneos (Imvanex or Imvamune outside the United States), KM Biologics' LC16, and Emergent BioSolutions' ACAM2000. These vaccines are being considered for purchase and donation in Africa. However, due to high vaccine prices and limited access, African countries face significant barriers in obtaining the necessary doses. According to Africa’s CDC, some of the vaccines could cost as much as $150 for a full vaccination regimen, a price that is unattainable for many African nations.
Meanwhile, wealthy nations have yet to reveal the exact number of vaccines in their stockpiles. Japan reportedly holds around 200 million doses of LC16, a vaccine that can be used for children, though it is not available outside Japan and requires special needles for administration. Canada, which has an estimated 2 million doses from Bavarian Nordic, has pledged to donate up to 200,000 doses. The United States, with an estimated 100 million doses of Emergent's vaccine in addition to an undisclosed number of Jynneos doses, has donated just 60,000 Jynneos doses to the current outbreak.
Slow Regulatory Procedures and Competing Health Crises
In addition to vaccine shortages, other challenges have hampered Africa’s response to the mpox outbreak. Slow regulatory procedures within the WHO and Congo, combined with the logistical complexities of delivering vaccines to remote areas, have delayed vaccination campaigns. Competing health crises, such as ongoing conflicts in the region and the prevalence of diseases like HIV, have also diverted resources and attention away from the mpox epidemic.
Children and immunocompromised individuals, such as those with HIV, are particularly vulnerable to mpox. "Children are the main victims of this epidemic. The first emergency is not really being treated," said Cris Kacita, head of Congo’s mpox response.
The slow rollout of vaccines has been frustrating for health officials, who believe that a more coordinated effort could have mitigated the spread of the virus. "If we'd had more doses earlier, we could have planned a large-scale campaign and reduced transmission," Kacita added.
First Vaccination Campaign in Congo
Despite these setbacks, Congo is set to launch its first vaccination campaign in early October, using 265,000 doses of donated vaccines. While this is a step in the right direction, it falls far short of the millions of doses required to bring the outbreak under control. The potential for widespread transmission remains high, particularly given the presence of the more contagious clade Ib strain.
Efforts to procure additional vaccines from countries like Japan have been ongoing. Congo is reportedly in discussions to secure up to 3.5 million doses of LC16 from Japan, though the timing of the delivery remains uncertain.
International Community Must Do More
The stark divide in vaccine access highlights a broader issue in global health governance: the failure to address viral threats where they originate. The lack of a coordinated international response to the mpox outbreak in Africa underscores the need for stronger mechanisms to ensure that vaccines and other medical resources are distributed equitably, particularly during times of crisis.
Spain has emerged as one of the largest confirmed donors, pledging 20% of its mpox vaccine stockpile, or 500,000 doses, to the global effort. The European Commission has also stepped in, sending 215,000 doses to Congo through its joint procurement contract with Bavarian Nordic. However, these contributions are still insufficient to meet the growing demand for vaccines across Africa.
Looking Ahead: Lessons for Future Pandemics
As the world continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the mpox outbreak in Africa serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and international cooperation in addressing global health threats. The failure to deliver sufficient vaccines to Africa not only prolongs the current outbreak but also increases the risk of future viral threats spreading beyond the continent.
Bill Nelson, NASA’s administrator, praised the global efforts to combat mpox but acknowledged that much work remains to be done. "Today’s success represents a giant leap forward for the commercial space industry and @NASA's long-term goal to build a vibrant U.S. space economy," Nelson wrote on X.
Ultimately, the success of the global fight against mpox—and future pandemics—will depend on the willingness of wealthier nations to share their resources and collaborate with affected countries in a timely and equitable manner.
(Source:www.theprint.in)
The disease has taken a strong foothold in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighboring countries, where over 37,500 infections and 1,451 deaths have been recorded in 2023. According to estimates from Africa’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 18 to 22 million vaccine doses are needed to protect 10 million people in the next six months, particularly in light of a new strain of the virus, clade Ib, which spreads more easily through close contact.
Yet, fewer than 4 million doses have been pledged for donation, leaving a massive gap in the global response to this public health emergency. Disease experts argue that the vaccines currently stockpiled by wealthy nations could make a significant impact if distributed to Africa. These vaccines were originally stored by countries such as Japan, the United States, and Canada in anticipation of a potential smallpox resurgence, a disease related to mpox but far more deadly. Some of these doses were used during the 2022 global mpox outbreak, but the majority remain unused.
Vaccine Stockpiles: A Political Problem, Not a Technical One
Maria Van Kerkhove, acting head of pandemic and epidemic prevention at the World Health Organization (WHO), highlighted the political nature of the current vaccine inequity. "It’s not a technical question, it’s a political one," she told Reuters. "Vaccines are useless on shelves. Why wouldn’t we get them to the people who need them right now?"
Van Kerkhove, along with Africa's CDC and other health authorities, has been advocating for more donations to curb the mpox outbreak. Despite their efforts, the global response has been slow and fragmented, raising concerns about the preparedness of wealthier nations to address viral threats in regions that do not directly affect them.
Peter Maybarduk, access to medicines director at the U.S.-based consumer group Public Citizen, emphasized the dangers of this inaction. "The disinterest in mpox and other viral threats where they emerge is a significant danger to people the world over," he said.
A Widening Gap in Vaccine Access
The vaccines recommended by the WHO to combat mpox include Bavarian Nordic's Jynneos (Imvanex or Imvamune outside the United States), KM Biologics' LC16, and Emergent BioSolutions' ACAM2000. These vaccines are being considered for purchase and donation in Africa. However, due to high vaccine prices and limited access, African countries face significant barriers in obtaining the necessary doses. According to Africa’s CDC, some of the vaccines could cost as much as $150 for a full vaccination regimen, a price that is unattainable for many African nations.
Meanwhile, wealthy nations have yet to reveal the exact number of vaccines in their stockpiles. Japan reportedly holds around 200 million doses of LC16, a vaccine that can be used for children, though it is not available outside Japan and requires special needles for administration. Canada, which has an estimated 2 million doses from Bavarian Nordic, has pledged to donate up to 200,000 doses. The United States, with an estimated 100 million doses of Emergent's vaccine in addition to an undisclosed number of Jynneos doses, has donated just 60,000 Jynneos doses to the current outbreak.
Slow Regulatory Procedures and Competing Health Crises
In addition to vaccine shortages, other challenges have hampered Africa’s response to the mpox outbreak. Slow regulatory procedures within the WHO and Congo, combined with the logistical complexities of delivering vaccines to remote areas, have delayed vaccination campaigns. Competing health crises, such as ongoing conflicts in the region and the prevalence of diseases like HIV, have also diverted resources and attention away from the mpox epidemic.
Children and immunocompromised individuals, such as those with HIV, are particularly vulnerable to mpox. "Children are the main victims of this epidemic. The first emergency is not really being treated," said Cris Kacita, head of Congo’s mpox response.
The slow rollout of vaccines has been frustrating for health officials, who believe that a more coordinated effort could have mitigated the spread of the virus. "If we'd had more doses earlier, we could have planned a large-scale campaign and reduced transmission," Kacita added.
First Vaccination Campaign in Congo
Despite these setbacks, Congo is set to launch its first vaccination campaign in early October, using 265,000 doses of donated vaccines. While this is a step in the right direction, it falls far short of the millions of doses required to bring the outbreak under control. The potential for widespread transmission remains high, particularly given the presence of the more contagious clade Ib strain.
Efforts to procure additional vaccines from countries like Japan have been ongoing. Congo is reportedly in discussions to secure up to 3.5 million doses of LC16 from Japan, though the timing of the delivery remains uncertain.
International Community Must Do More
The stark divide in vaccine access highlights a broader issue in global health governance: the failure to address viral threats where they originate. The lack of a coordinated international response to the mpox outbreak in Africa underscores the need for stronger mechanisms to ensure that vaccines and other medical resources are distributed equitably, particularly during times of crisis.
Spain has emerged as one of the largest confirmed donors, pledging 20% of its mpox vaccine stockpile, or 500,000 doses, to the global effort. The European Commission has also stepped in, sending 215,000 doses to Congo through its joint procurement contract with Bavarian Nordic. However, these contributions are still insufficient to meet the growing demand for vaccines across Africa.
Looking Ahead: Lessons for Future Pandemics
As the world continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the mpox outbreak in Africa serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and international cooperation in addressing global health threats. The failure to deliver sufficient vaccines to Africa not only prolongs the current outbreak but also increases the risk of future viral threats spreading beyond the continent.
Bill Nelson, NASA’s administrator, praised the global efforts to combat mpox but acknowledged that much work remains to be done. "Today’s success represents a giant leap forward for the commercial space industry and @NASA's long-term goal to build a vibrant U.S. space economy," Nelson wrote on X.
Ultimately, the success of the global fight against mpox—and future pandemics—will depend on the willingness of wealthier nations to share their resources and collaborate with affected countries in a timely and equitable manner.
(Source:www.theprint.in)