In a significant move to combat the monkeypox outbreak in Africa, the Vaccine Alliance, Gavi, and Bavarian Nordic announced an Advance Purchase Agreement on Wednesday for 500,000 doses of the Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN) mpox vaccine.
Scheduled for delivery in 2024, these doses will be funded through Gavi’s newly established First Response Fund, created to ensure swift access to vaccines during health emergencies.
As of late week 35 in 2024, Africa has reported over 26,500 mpox cases, including 724 fatalities, across 15 member states. The MVA-BN vaccine, which received prequalification from the World Health Organization on September 13, is set to play a crucial role in mitigating the outbreak. Bavarian Nordic is prepared to initiate supply once a final agreement with UNICEF, Gavi’s distribution partner, is finalized.
CEO of Gavi Sania Nishtar highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating, “The First Response Fund was designed to provide rapid funding for emergencies like mpox. This agreement marks a significant step toward protecting those most at risk.” Paul Chaplin, President and CEO of Bavarian Nordic, expressed pride in contributing to vaccine accessibility for vulnerable populations, emphasizing the effectiveness of the MVA-BN vaccine during the 2022 global outbreak.
In addition to activating the First Response Fund, Gavi is mobilizing emergency funding to assist affected countries in preparing for vaccine rollout, including training healthcare workers and community engagement. Looking ahead, Gavi aims to establish a stockpile of mpox vaccines and foster sustainable vaccine manufacturing in Africa through the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator, launched in June.
The partnership between Gavi and Bavarian Nordic follows the previous delivery of over a quarter of a million doses of Bavarian Nordic vaccines to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with allocations based on the World Health Organization’s Access and Allocation Mechanism.
As the MVA-BN vaccine is the only non-replicating mpox vaccine approved in the U.S., Switzerland, and Singapore, its deployment is seen as a vital measure in curbing the ongoing health crisis and protecting populations at risk.
