WHO Authorizes Vaccine Procurement for Monkeypox Prevention

The World Health Organization (WHO) has authorized Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF to begin procuring vaccines to prevent outbreaks, including monkeypox, ahead of the Emergency Use Listing (EUL) decision.

WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, made the announcement on Wednesday, emphasizing that while vaccines are crucial, they are not the sole tool in combating outbreaks.

“WHO, the Africa CDC, and our partners are doing many other things to stop outbreaks and save lives,” Ghebreyesus stated.

Read Also:

Lagos health commissioner warns of potential Mpox Clade 1b Risk

Mpox Outbreak: Nigeria Receives 10,000 JYNNEOS® Vaccines from U.S.

For years, WHO has supported countries in Africa facing sporadic monkeypox outbreaks and has called for more research and development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. Recently, the disease has attracted greater international attention, leading WHO to declare a public health emergency of international concern.

Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and Ghebreyesus are coordinating efforts to leverage their respective organizations’ strengths. Ghebreyesus noted that WHO and Africa CDC are working together under a unified plan and budget to address the monkeypox threat effectively.

Highlighting the collaboration, Ghebreyesus remarked, “I’m very glad to see how Africa CDC, which I proposed at the 2013 African Union Summit, is now co-leading the response to monkeypox with WHO.”

On August 23, WHO released a Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan aimed at stopping human-to-human transmission of monkeypox and controlling the outbreaks.

The organization is expected to complete its evaluation of vaccines for Emergency Use Listing within the next three weeks.

In addition to vaccine procurement, WHO is providing PCR machines and kits, supporting laboratories, training health workers, and engaging with affected communities to ensure a coordinated response.

Ghebreyesus reiterated the urgent need for a legally binding international agreement for a coordinated and equitable response to pandemics, highlighting the monkeypox outbreak as a critical reminder of this necessity.