ADDIS ABABA/GENEVA/NEW YORK/OSLO (Nov. 9, 2024) — The Access and Allocation Mechanism (AAM) for mpox has allocated 899,000 vaccine doses to nine African nations most affected by a recent rise in mpox cases, aiming to contain the outbreaks efficiently.
The allocation, approved by the Africa CDC, CEPI, Gavi, UNICEF, and WHO, is based on current epidemiological data and each country’s readiness to deploy the vaccines, according to a statement.
The targeted countries include the Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda.
The DRC, reporting 80% of Africa’s mpox cases this year, will receive 85% of the allocated doses due to its high infection rate.
Vaccine Source and Outbreak Control Efforts
The vaccine supply has been made possible by contributions from Canada, Gavi, the European Union, and the United States.
WHO and Africa CDC declared the DRC outbreak a public health emergency in mid-August, highlighting an urgent need for intervention as mpox cases have risen sharply. Across 19 African nations, more than 38,000 suspected cases and 1,000 deaths have been recorded, with the majority occurring in the DRC.
Vaccination efforts will complement other control measures, such as diagnostic testing, clinical care, and community outreach.
“Vaccination is an essential component in reducing mpox transmission and ultimately curtailing outbreaks,” the statement noted. The DRC and Rwanda have already initiated vaccination campaigns, and additional support is planned to expand the reach of these efforts.
Phased Vaccination Strategy
The AAM’s vaccination strategy will proceed in three phases to address both immediate needs and longer-term control:
- Phase 1: Targeting high-risk groups, including contacts of confirmed cases, healthcare workers, and emergency responders in active transmission zones.
- Phase 2: Expanding protection to other vulnerable groups, such as people living with HIV and displaced populations at heightened risk of severe illness.
- Phase 3: Aiming to establish long-term immunity to prevent future outbreaks.
In Phase 1, the plan is to vaccinate 1.4 million individuals by year-end using 2.8 million doses of the MVA-BN vaccine. Demand for vaccines is expected to grow, with Phase 2 anticipated to involve up to 10 million people.
Future Considerations for Expanding Coverage
WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) has recommended extending vaccination to children and pregnant women.
Regulatory approval is being pursued in affected countries to enable expanded vaccine use for these groups.
The distribution of vaccines represents a collaborative international effort to combat a pressing public health threat in Africa.
SOURCE : RELIEFWEB
