New health outbreak causing increasing concern

The EU has moved to provide what is says is an “immediate response” to the mpox outbreak in Africa.

The European Commission's Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority, HERA, will procure and donate 175,420 doses of the MVA-BN® vaccine, the only FDA and EMA-approved mpox vaccine,

In addition, the pharmaceutical company Bavarian Nordic will donate 40,000 doses to HERA.

The Africa CDC will distribute the vaccines according to regional needs and to affected countries.

Furthermore, HERA is in collaboration with the Africa CDC with the aim to expand access to mpox diagnostics and sequencing in the region, with a €3.5 million grant foreseen for early autumn.

The move comes after Africa CDC declared on 13 August a public health emergency to respond to the escalating public health concern across the region.

Africa CDC has called upon the international community to support its efforts in mobilising 2 million vaccines, a call to which HERA has responded immediately.

MVA-BN or Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic is a non-replicating smallpox vaccine and the only mpox vaccine approved in the EU/EEA and UK.

Currently, only two African countries have granted “Emergency Use Authorization” for the MVA-BN vaccine..

Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, said, “Strong global partnerships are at the very core of our European Health Union. Health security threats know no borders and today, thanks to the collaboration between the European Commission, Africa Centre for Disease Control and Bavarian Nordic, we make 215,000 vaccines available to protect the most vulnerable in countries affected by the outbreak of mpox in Africa.

“Preparedness and response to health threats is a global endeavour which we are determined to pursue collectively and with solidarity across borders.”

Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, said, “We are grateful for the swift and generous response from the European Commission and Bavarian Nordic to the mpox outbreak.

“The donation of over 215,000 doses, is a crucial step in our fight against this crisis. This partnership not only delivers essential vaccines but also underscores our collective commitment to safeguarding health across Africa. It exemplifies the power of international collaboration in addressing public health emergencies. Together, we will strengthen our response efforts and ensure that communities across the continent receive the protection they need.”

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