- Africa CDC has announced an ambitious alliance with vaccine maker Bavarian Nordic to secure 10 million doses of the mpox vaccine by the end of 2025.
- Vaccine maker Bavarian Nordic says it can supply up to 2 million doses by the end of 2024.
- Mpox outbreak has been particularly severe, prompting Africa CDC to declare it a PHECS on August 13, 2024.
In response to the escalating threat of mpox across the Africa, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has announced an ambitious plan to secure 10 million doses of the mpox vaccine by the end of 2025.
This commitment comes in collaboration with Bavarian Nordic, a leading vaccine manufacturer, which has pledged to ramp up production and ensure the equitable distribution of vaccines.
The initiative is a critical step in tackling the ongoing mpox outbreak, which has been declared a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) by Africa CDC and a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Mpox outbreak: A growing threat
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, has become an evolving public health challenge, particularly in Africa. The disease, which is characterized by fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes, has seen a resurgence in recent years, with outbreaks reported across multiple countries in Africa and other parts of the world.
The virus is transmitted through close contact with an infected person or animal and can spread through respiratory droplets, bodily fluids, and contaminated objects.
The current mpox outbreak has been particularly severe, prompting Africa CDC to declare it a PHECS on August 13, 2024. This declaration was followed by the WHO’s recognition of mpox as a PHEIC on August 14, 2024, underscoring the global nature of the threat.
This rapid spread of the virus and the increasing number of cases have highlighted the urgent need for effective vaccines to contain the outbreak and prevent further transmission.
Bavarian Nordic’s role in the vaccine initiative
Bavarian Nordic, a biopharmaceutical company known for developing vaccines for infectious diseases, and has now taken a leading role in addressing mpox outbreak. The company has a track record, having supplied more than 15 million doses of the mpox vaccine to over 76 countries during the 2022/23 outbreak.
This large-scale distribution played a crucial role in containing the previous outbreak, with the vaccine demonstrating high efficacy after one or two doses and significantly reducing the severity of the disease.
In response to the current outbreak, Bavarian Nordic aims to scale up its manufacturing capabilities to meet the growing demand for the mpox vaccine. The company has informed Africa CDC that it has the capacity to produce 10 million doses by the end of 2025. In addition to the existing orders, Bavarian Nordic could supply up to 2 million doses by the end of 2024, ensuring a steady supply of vaccines to the continent.
Africa CDC in collaboration to drive equitable access
Africa CDC and Bavarian Nordic alliance seeks to ensure that all African countries, regardless of their economic status, have access to the vaccine to protect their populations from the outbreak.
Bavarian Nordic is also working closely with Africa CDC and the WHO to develop a regulatory pathway that ensures the vaccine is accessible to all countries, while also seeking approval for its use in adolescents and conducting clinical studies in Africa to expand its use to children.
This collaborative effort extends beyond vaccine supply. Bavarian Nordic is also focused on expanding its manufacturing network to include facilities in Africa. The company is exploring technology transfer agreements with selected African manufacturers, which would enable local production of the mpox vaccine.
This approach not only promises to boost the continent’s capacity to respond to the current outbreak, but also strengthens its ability to tackle future public health emergencies.
Read also: Africa CDC issues emergency declaration as mpox outbreak spreads to over 13 countries
Addressing the needs of younger populations
One of the critical challenges in the current mpox outbreak is the high incidence of cases among younger individuals. According to Africa CDC, the majority of mpox cases in Africa are occurring in individuals younger than 18 years old. This demographic trend has prompted Bavarian Nordic to focus on extending the use of the mpox vaccine to younger populations.
Bavarian Nordic has recently submitted clinical data to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to support the use of the mpox vaccine in adolescents aged 12 to 17. These data were generated through a collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), which conducted a clinical study involving more than 300 adolescents.
The results of this study are expected to pave the way for broader use of the vaccine in younger populations, providing much-needed protection to this vulnerable group.
In addition, Bavarian Nordic is collaborating with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to initiate a clinical trial assessing the safety and immunogenicity of the mpox vaccine in children aged 2 to 12. This trial will be a critical step toward expanding the vaccine’s indication to include younger children, further strengthening the continent’s defense against the outbreak.
The road ahead: Building a sustainable response
As Africa CDC and Bavarian Nordic work together to secure 10 million mpox vaccine doses by 2025, the focus is not only on addressing the immediate needs of the current outbreak but also on building a sustainable response to future public health threats.
The planned expansion of manufacturing capacity in Africa through technology transfer agreements is a crucial part of this strategy. By empowering local manufacturers to produce the mpox vaccine, Africa will be better equipped to respond to future outbreaks and reduce its reliance on external sources for critical vaccines.
Furthermore, the emphasis on equitable access and the inclusion of younger populations in vaccination efforts are essential components of a comprehensive public health strategy. By ensuring that all countries and age groups have access to the mpox vaccine, Africa CDC and its partners are laying the groundwork for a more resilient and responsive health system.
