WHO Accelerates Mpox Vaccine Purchases to Combat African Outbreak

WHO has enabled partners like Gavi and Unicef to purchase mpox vaccines before the agency's approval to speed up distribution in Africa amidst a worsening outbreak. Two vaccines from Bavarian Nordic and KM Biologics are already approved globally. The WHO seeks to prevent lower-income countries from facing shortages reminiscent of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The World Health Organization announced on Friday that its partners, such as Gavi and Unicef, are now permitted to purchase mpox vaccines ahead of U.N. health agency approval. This move aims to expedite the delivery of inoculations to Africa, which is grappling with an escalating outbreak of the virus.

Traditionally, organizations like Gavi, which assists lower-income countries in acquiring vaccines, can only begin purchasing shots once they have received WHO approval. However, the rules have been relaxed in this case to initiate discussions swiftly, as the WHO's approval is anticipated in a few weeks.

Two vaccines, produced by Denmark's Bavarian Nordic and Japan's KM Biologics, have already received approval from global regulators, including in the U.S. and Japan, and have been widely used for mpox since 2022. Approximately 1.2 million people in the U.S. have received Bavarian Nordic's vaccine. The WHO is set to grant an emergency license to these vaccines in September.

Earlier this month, the WHO called on vaccine manufacturers to submit data to expedite the approval process and issue an emergency license by mid-September. However, this week, Bavarian Nordic indicated it required immediate orders from organizations like Gavi and the WHO to produce more vaccines this year. This raises concerns that lower-income countries might miss out or depend once more on precarious donations from affluent nations, echoing the struggles witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some donated mpox vaccines are expected to arrive in Africa next week, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has reported. "While we view the WHO's announcement positively, we cannot comment on specific negotiations at this time. We will provide market updates when orders are finalized," a Bavarian Nordic spokesperson said on Friday. KM Biologics and Gavi have yet to respond to requests for comment.

(With inputs from agencies.)