Bavarian Nordic announced in September 2024 that the first doses of its mpox vaccine, MVA-BN (JYNNEOS), have arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to support response efforts. Further shipments are planned within the next few days, contributing to a total of more than 250,000 doses donated by the European Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), the United States government, and Bavarian Nordic.
First doses arrive
This shipment brings the first mpox vaccines to the DRC, which Bavarian Nordic describes as a “turning point” in the joint efforts by Africa CDC and the international community. The DRC authorities have issued national emergency use authorisation for MVA-BN to allow immediate deployment. Broader deployment on the continent is “pending an emergency use listing” from WHO.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus shared his reaction to the delivery on social media, emphasising that WHO and partners are supporting DRC in the delivery of a “comprehensive health emergency response based on case finding, contact tracing, targeted vaccination, case management, and community engagement and mobilisation”.
“Once again, we are grateful to the European Union for its solidarity and for sharing vaccines.”
Responding to the call
DRC is the “epicentre” of the African mpox outbreak, reporting more than 94% of reported cases and nearly 99% of the reported deaths year-to-date on the continent. Although surveillance and control are “continuously improving” the true burden of disease remains unclear as case numbers are “underreported”. Bavarian Nordic’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Paul Chaplin commented on the “alarming rate” of increased cases in the DRC, where “aid is desperately needed”.
“Africa CDC has called for the international community to step up and mobilise the resources needed to combat the outbreak, and we are proudly responding to this call together with our partners in the European Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority and the U.S. government, who have demonstrated strong leadership and determination during this serious health crisis.”
Mr Chaplin stated that “time is of the essence” but is pleased that “the way has now been paved for our mpox vaccines to reach the people in the DRC who are most in need”.
“We will continue our collaborative efforts with both international partners and local authorities to further broaden access to our vaccine in the region.”
While this news is welcomed by public health experts, will the doses be enough to control the outbreak, and is there a risk of perpetuating dependence on donations? For more on preparedness and response efforts at the Congress in Barcelona this October, get your tickets now. Don’t forget to subscribe to our weekly newsletters here.
