Gavi, the global vaccine alliance, has announced that it will purchase 500,000 doses of Bavarian Nordic’s mpox vaccine for Africa. This marks Gavi’s first acquisition of the vaccine. The deal aims at tackling the spread of mpox, which the World Health Organization (WHO) have declared a global health emergency.
Gavi said it will spend up to $50 million on the plan, including transportation, delivery, and administration of the vaccines. They are expected to be delivered later this year, especially to the heavily affected Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Although 3.6 million vaccine doses were pledged to the DRC by other nations, only a tiny portion has arrived so far. Gavi’s purchase will accelerate efforts in the DRC and other affected countries.
Gavi CEO Sania Nishtar said the goal is to turn vaccine supplies into vaccinations quickly. Mpox, which spreads through close contact, has become a public health issue in Africa, Europe, the Americas, and other regions.
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