Mpox: HERA to donate over 215,000 vaccine doses to Africa CDC amid urgent outbreak

HERA to donate over 215,000 mpox vaccine doses to Africa CDC amid urgent outbreak

In response to the escalating mpox outbreak in Africa, the European Commission's Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) has announced a significant collaboration with the pharmaceutical company Bavarian Nordic. Together, they will supply over 215,000 doses of the MVA-BN® vaccine, the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA)-approved vaccine for mpox, to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

HERA will contribute with 175,420 doses, while Bavarian Nordic has committed an additional 40,000 doses. These vaccines will be distributed by Africa CDC based on regional needs and an established vaccine strategy.

Beyond the vaccine donation, HERA is also working closely with Africa CDC to enhance access to mpox diagnostics and genetic sequencing in the region. A €3.5 million grant is expected to be deployed in early autumn to support these efforts.

On August 13, Africa CDC declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security, a new initiative aimed at bolstering the public health response across the continent. As part of this declaration, Africa CDC called on the global community to mobilize 2 million vaccine doses. HERA's swift action is a direct response to this urgent appeal.

Vaccine background

The MVA-BN vaccine, also known as Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic, is a non-replicating smallpox vaccine and the only approved mpox vaccine in the EU/EEA, United Kingdom (under the brand name IMVANEX®), United States, Switzerland (as JYNNEOS®), and Canada (as IMVAMUNE®). It is approved for adults at risk of smallpox or mpox.

Currently, only two African nations have granted Emergency Use Authorisation for the MVA-BN vaccine. However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently requested Bavarian Nordic to submit an Expression of Interest for Emergency Use Listing (EUL) of the vaccine, which could expedite its availability in African countries that lack national regulatory approvals.

Since the 2022 mpox outbreak, HERA has collaborated with Bavarian Nordic, initially through direct procurement agreements. This partnership was further strengthened with a joint procurement agreement, enabling EU Member States, EEA countries, and Western Balkan nations to secure the mpox vaccine for national use.

More information:

• European Commission coordinates procurement and donation of 215,000 vaccine doses from Bavarian Nordic to support Africa CDC in addressing the Mpox outbreak
• Africa CDC Declares Mpox A Public Health Emergency of Continental Security, Mobilizing Resources Across the Continent
• European Health Union: HERA secures up to 2 million doses of the monkeypox vaccine
• European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) – Mpox (Monkeypox)