The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) committed to delivering 10 million mpox vaccine doses across Africa by 2025, a significant step towards bolstering health security in the continent.
This announcement, made on Saturday, August 17, highlights the urgency of addressing the 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).
ALSO READ: Rwanda reports four mpox cases linked to travel, reinforces health precautions
In support of this goal, Bavarian Nordic, a key player in vaccine production in Denmark, partnered with Africa CDC to boost local vaccine manufacturing capabilities. This collaboration is aimed at ensuring that up to two million doses are available this year, supplementing existing orders, and laying the groundwork for broader vaccine access across Africa.
Bavarian Nordic’s involvement is vital as the continent faces the ongoing mpox outbreak, which has stressed the need for equitable vaccine distribution.
Paul Chaplin, the President and CEO of Bavarian Nordic, noted the company’s commitment to this mission.
He stated, "We are working closely with all stakeholders to ensure equitable access to our mpox vaccine during the current PHECS and PHEIC. Our partnership with Africa CDC, along with our efforts to expand manufacturing in Africa, is central to our strategy to protect lives and contain the outbreak.”
Bavarian Nordic has a history of supporting global health efforts. During the mpox outbreak from 2022 to 2023, the company supplied over 15 million doses of its mpox vaccine to more than 76 countries, playing a key role in containing the virus.
The vaccine proved highly effective, reducing the severity of the disease and lowering hospitalisation rates after just one or two doses.
The Danish company has maintained a vaccine inventory to respond swiftly to potential outbreaks. Amid recent developments, the company committed to increasing production, informing Africa CDC of its capacity to manufacture 10 million doses by the end of 2025. This includes the planned delivery of up to two million doses this year.
Recognising that majority of current mpox cases in Africa occur in individuals under 18, Bavarian Nordic is focusing on expanding vaccine access to younger populations. The company submitted clinical data to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to support the use of its mpox vaccine in adolescents aged 12 to 17.
This data was gathered through a collaboration with the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and involved over 300 participants. In partnership with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Bavarian Nordic is set to launch a clinical trial to assess the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness in children aged two to 12.
Other mpox vaccine establishments
Starting in 2026, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance based in Geneva, Switzerland will establish a global stockpile of mpox vaccines, similar to its existing stockpiles for other diseases like cholera, Ebola, meningitis, and yellow fever.
The creation of this stockpile will depend on the availability of WHO Emergency Use Listing or prequalification of a recommended vaccine and will require successful fundraising for Gavi’s next strategic period.
A crucial goal of this initiative is to ensure that the stockpile is informed by a thorough assessment of long-term public health needs.
In the meantime, Gavi will support the outbreak response in DR Congo and surrounding countries. The organisation aims to make critical investments in a learning agenda that will improve future vaccination efforts against mpox, including the design of a global stockpile.
WHO has announced that two vaccines are currently under consideration for Emergency Use Listing, which would allow partners to act swiftly, ahead of the longer process required for WHO prequalification.