The Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) and Bavarian Nordic have announced an agreement to purchase 500,000 doses of the MVA-BN mpox vaccine, to be delivered to African countries affected by the ongoing mpox outbreak. The vaccines, scheduled for delivery in 2024, will be funded by Gavi’s First Response Fund, a mechanism created to provide rapid funding for health emergencies.

As of September 2024, 26,544 mpox cases have been reported across 15 African Union Member States, with 724 deaths. The vaccine, prequalified by the WHO on September 13, will be supplied by Bavarian Nordic through UNICEF, Gavi’s partner in vaccine delivery.

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Gavi’s CEO, Dr. Sania Nishtar, emphasized the importance of rapid response, noting that the fund was designed to ensure equitable access to vaccines during health crises. Paul Chaplin, President of Bavarian Nordic, highlighted the significance of this agreement in increasing vaccine availability for African nations.

This deal follows previous donations of over 250,000 doses to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and aims to protect vulnerable populations.