African Nations Still Waiting for MPOX Vaccines Despite Western Promises
African countries affected by the outbreak of a new variant of mpox are still waiting for promised vaccines, delaying the rollout that had been planned for last week. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been at the epicenter of an outbreak of the new clade 1b variant, with 18,000 suspected cases and 629 deaths reported this year by the World Health Organization (WHO). The variant has also been identified in other countries such as Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Sweden, and Thailand.
Delayed Promises of Vaccine Delivery
Despite promises from Western nations, none of the pledged vaccines have been delivered to the affected African countries. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that the first doses should arrive in the DRC “within days,” but similar promises from the US regarding donated shots did not materialize on time. Spain pledged up to 500,000 doses, while France and Germany promised 100,000 each, and the US committed to donating 50,000 doses. However, none of these pledges have been fulfilled so far.
Lack of Funding for Outbreak Response
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) revealed that the $245 million it had requested to address the outbreak was only 10% funded. This lack of funding has significantly hindered the efforts to control the spread of the mpox variant in African nations. Despite mpox being first identified in humans in the DRC in 1970, African countries are still heavily reliant on vaccine donations from wealthier nations to combat the disease.
Neglect and Inequity in Vaccine Distribution
Dr. Dimie Ogoina, an infectious disease physician, highlighted the neglect both internationally and by African governments in addressing the lack of vaccines and treatments for diseases like mpox. He emphasized the importance of African nations investing in their healthcare infrastructure to reduce reliance on external donors. Ogoina pointed out that manufacturers tend to prioritize global north countries, leaving African nations at the bottom of the list for vaccine procurement.
High Mortality Rates and Concerns for Children
The WHO declared a public health emergency in response to the spread of the clade 1b variant, which has a high mortality rate, especially among children. Concerns have been raised about the significant number of child deaths, with a mortality rate of up to 8% for children under 15 years old. The latest data from Africa CDC showed a sharp increase in cases, indicating the urgent need for vaccines to curb the spread of the disease.
Challenges in Accessing Medical Tools
Victorine de Milliano, a policy advisor at Médecins Sans Frontières’s MSF Access, highlighted the systematic issue that impedes lower-income countries from accessing medical tools during public health emergencies. She emphasized the need to address the vaccine monopoly and ensure equitable access to vaccines for all countries, regardless of their economic status. De Milliano emphasized the importance of drawing lessons from past pandemics like Covid-19 to ensure a more equitable distribution of medical resources.
Efforts to Address the Vaccine Shortage
Bavarian Nordic, the pharmaceutical company producing the mpox vaccine, has pledged to provide 2 million doses this year pending approval for orders. The company has donated 55,000 doses and expressed willingness to implement tiered pricing to accommodate countries with smaller economies. They also stated their readiness to adjust pricing based on the volume of vaccine orders and duration of supply agreements. African leaders are showing vigilance in responding to the public health emergency and discussing strategies to invest in combating the disease, with pledges of support from external sources.
Sustained Commitment Needed
While there have been commitments and promises of support to address the mpox outbreak in African nations, there is a need for sustained action over the long term. Dr. Ogoina emphasized the importance of following through on commitments beyond the initial response phase to ensure continued support for combating the disease. The lack of sustained interest and investment could hinder efforts to control the outbreak and protect vulnerable populations in African countries.
In conclusion, the delayed delivery of promised vaccines for the mpox outbreak in African nations highlights the challenges faced in addressing public health emergencies in low-income countries. The inequitable distribution of vaccines, lack of funding for outbreak response, and reliance on external donors underscore the need for sustainable investments in healthcare infrastructure to ensure timely access to essential medical tools. It is crucial for international stakeholders to uphold their commitments and work towards a more equitable distribution of vaccines to prevent future outbreaks and protect global health security.
