Biden's $500 Million Mpox Vaccine Donation to Africa

U.S. President Joe Biden announced a donation of 1 million mpox vaccine doses and $500 million to African countries at the United Nations General Assembly. This act aims to address the mpox outbreak, recently declared a global public health emergency by the World Health Organization.

U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday a significant donation of 1 million mpox vaccine doses and $500 million to African countries to bolster their response to the current outbreak. Biden made this announcement at the United Nations General Assembly, urging other nations to follow suit, reinforcing earlier reporting by Reuters.

In August, the World Health Organization declared mpox a global public health emergency, following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to neighboring countries and beyond, including India. The viral infection has raised global alarm due to its spread through close contact, potentially including sexual contact.

The U.S. expects the new doses, primarily of the Bavarian Nordic Jynneos vaccine, to be distributed through Gavi, a public-private alliance. The Biden administration is also promoting vaccine manufacturing in low and middle-income countries, advocating for pharmaceutical companies to transfer necessary technologies.

(With inputs from agencies.)