Geneva: UNICEF issued an emergency tender on Saturday for mpox vaccines against infection in countries most critically affected by the current outbreak of the virus. The purpose of the tender is to ensure access immediately while ramping up manufacturing to meet global needs for the vaccine.
Emergency Tender for Immediate Access
UNICEF-World Health Organization, the Gavi vaccine alliance, and Africa CDC have also launched an emergency tender in an effort to access mpox vaccines currently available as quickly as possible. The tender also looks at increasing production capacity to meet growing requirements in the worst-hit regions.Plans for Up to 12 Million Doses
The tender allows for conditional supply agreements with vaccine manufacturers to be set up. These could be enough to secure up to 12 million doses of mpox vaccines through 2025, depending on demand and production capacity and subject to available funding. UNICEF works to help countries rapidly procure and distribute vaccines once countries have secured financing and completed regulatory work.WHO Declares International Emergency
The WHO declared mpox an international emergency on Aug. 14 citing the rapid spread of the new Clade 1b strain in DRC. Since the outbreak began, there have been over 18,000 suspected cases and 629 deaths in the country, with the virus spreading to neighboring countries.Global Collaboration against Mpox
UNICEF’s action forms part of the wider global response to the mpox outbreak. The emergency tender will let UNICEF take swift action and deliver vaccines to countries in need without wasting any time. This move underlines international determination in the fight against the further spread of mpox and the protection of the most vulnerable populations.
While the mpox outbreak remains a health threat, UNICEF’s emergency tender is an important step in the global fight against the disease. Ensuring a rapid distribution, securing millions of doses is a testament to the active, concerted action of the international community to stop further spread and save lives.
