UNICEF Spearheads Emergency Mpox Vaccine Procurement Amid Escalating Global Crisis

Monday 02 September 2024 - 11:45

In a critical move to combat the escalating mpox (monkeypox) outbreak, UNICEF has issued an emergency tender to procure vaccines, highlighting the urgency for immediate global action.

According to a recent UNICEF report, the outbreak, classified as a public health emergency by both the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), has intensified the need for swift intervention. The tender aims to secure mpox vaccines for the most affected regions, in collaboration with key partners such as Africa CDC, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO, and the Pan American Health Organization.

This joint initiative seeks to enhance vaccine accessibility and expedite distribution, including through donations from high-income countries' stockpiles. UNICEF plans to establish conditional supply agreements with vaccine manufacturers, enabling rapid purchase and deployment once financing, demand, readiness, and regulatory approvals are confirmed.

Meanwhile, the WHO is reviewing information submitted by manufacturers and is expected to decide on Emergency Use Listing by mid-September.

UNICEF Fast-Tracks Mpox Vaccine Procurement

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, the epicenter of the ongoing crisis, has reported over 18,000 suspected cases of mpox this year, with 629 deaths. Monkeypox, which belongs to the same viral family as smallpox, generally causes mild symptoms such as fever, chills, and body aches. More severe cases can lead to lesions on areas like the face, hands, chest, and genitals. The disease spreads primarily through close skin-to-skin contact.

Leila Pakkala, Director of UNICEF Supply Division, underscored the urgency of the situation. "Addressing the current mpox vaccine shortage and delivering vaccines to communities who need them now is of paramount importance,” she stated.

Echoing this sentiment, Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, emphasized the importance of the emergency tender. "The timely procurement and distribution of vaccines is crucial to protecting the most vulnerable populations, particularly in the hardest-hit regions. This emergency tender is a critical step forward in our collective effort to control the spread of this disease."

Derrick Sim, interim Chief Vaccine Programmes and Markets Officer at Gavi, added that this initiative represents an important step in this emergency, enabling UNICEF to purchase and deliver vaccines after Gavi and other partners make funding available and sign purchase or donation agreements with manufacturers for the most immediate dose needs.

The emergency tender aims to ensure immediate access to existing mpox vaccines and boost production, with potential agreements securing up to 12 million doses through 2025, depending on demand and production capacity.

UNICEF's Comprehensive Support

UNICEF is also sending vital supplies, including personal protective equipment, diagnostic tests, medical treatment kits, and hygiene products, to bolster medical countermeasures and surveillance. As the largest single vaccine buyer globally, UNICEF is crucial in vaccination efforts, procuring over 2 billion doses each year for routine immunization and outbreak response in nearly 100 countries.

Morocco's Mpox Response: Recent Developments And Measures

In response to the mpox outbreak, under royal directives to monitor the situation, Morocco's Minister of Health and Social Protection, Khalid Ait Taleb, led a meeting in August with a specialized scientific committee. According to a press release, the meeting focused on discussing the latest epidemiological developments at both the national and international levels.

To date, there has not been one case spotted in Morocco since the new outbreak of mpox began, but authorities continue to be on high alert.

UNICEF's emergency tender and Morocco's proactive measures underscore the global commitment to addressing the mpox crisis, ensuring that the most vulnerable populations are protected and the spread of the disease is effectively controlled.