(Source-ndtv.com)
UNICEF has announced the issuance of an emergency tender to procure mpox vaccines, a critical step in addressing the ongoing mpox vaccines outbreak. The outbreak, declared a public health emergency by both the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), has necessitated urgent action to prevent further spread.
The tender is part of a collaborative effort involving Africa CDC, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO, the Pan American Health Organization, and other partners to secure vaccines for the countries most affected by the crisis. This initiative also includes facilitating donations from existing vaccine stockpiles in high-income countries, aiming to contain the ongoing transmission of mpox.
Urgent Vaccine Procurement and Distribution
UNICEF’s emergency tender will establish conditional supply agreements with vaccine manufacturers, enabling swift procurement and distribution once countries and partners secure financing, confirm demand, and meet regulatory requirements. WHO is currently reviewing information submitted by manufacturers and is expected to complete its Emergency Use Listing review by mid-September.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is currently at the epicenter of the crisis, with over 18,000 suspected cases and 629 reported deaths this year alone. Alarmingly, four out of five deaths have occurred in children, highlighting the urgent need for vaccine intervention.
“Addressing the current mpox vaccines shortage and delivering vaccines to communities who need them now is of paramount importance,” said Leila Pakkala, Director of UNICEF Supply Division. “There is also a pressing need for a universal and transparent allocation mechanism to ensure equitable access to mpox vaccines.”
A Unified Response to a Global Health Emergency
Africa CDC Director General, Dr. Jean Kaseya, emphasized the importance of a coordinated response: “As we confront the ongoing mpox outbreak, the timely procurement and distribution of vaccines is crucial to protecting the most vulnerable populations, particularly in the hardest-hit regions. Africa CDC is committed to ensuring that vaccines are allocated swiftly and equitably across the continent.”
Dr. Derrick Sim, interim Chief Vaccine Programmes and Markets Officer at Gavi, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Securing access to supply and financing, delivering doses, and ensuring countries are ready to administer them are all vital actions that need to be conducted rapidly but thoroughly, and in a coordinated manner.”
Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO incident manager for the global mpox response, warned of the global threat posed by the outbreak. “A swift, coordinated, and equitable response is critical to controlling the current mpox emergency and preventing future ones,” she said. “All of us must act decisively now or risk allowing mpox to spread further and become an even greater global threat.”
Expanding Access and Enhancing Production
The emergency tender is designed not only to secure immediate access to available mpox vaccines but also to expand production. Depending on demand, production capacity, and available funding, agreements for up to 12 million doses through 2025 could be established.
Vaccines are just one tool in the fight against mpox. Africa CDC, Gavi, UNICEF, WHO, and partners are also prioritizing infection prevention, risk communication, and community engagement. UNICEF is deploying personal protection equipment, diagnostic tests, medical treatment kits, hygiene supplies, and tents to countries at the forefront of the crisis, supporting a comprehensive response that includes treatment, case isolation, and surveillance.
As the world’s largest vaccine buyer, UNICEF annually procures over 2 billion doses for routine child immunization and outbreak response on behalf of nearly 100 countries. This latest tender reinforces UNICEF’s commitment to safeguarding global health, particularly in crisis-hit regions.
