The European Union (EU), through its Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), has pledged to donate 215,000 vaccine doses to help combat the Mpox outbreak in Africa.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the European Commission announced that it will procure 175,420 doses of the Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN) Mpox vaccine.

This vaccine, a non-replicating smallpox vaccine, is the only Mpox vaccine approved for use in the EU and is authorized for individuals aged 18 and older. Additionally, Bavarian Nordic, the pharmaceutical company behind the vaccine, has pledged to donate an extra 40,000 doses to HERA.

The statement partly reads: “The Africa CDC will distribute the vaccines according to regional needs. Through the Africa CDC, these vaccines will be distributed to affected countries.

“Furthermore, HERA is in collaboration with the Africa CDC with the aim to expand access to mpox diagnostics and sequencing in the region, with a €3.5 million grant foreseen for early autumn.”

Stella Kyriakides, EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, underscored the significance of global cooperation in tackling health threats, stating, “Preparedness and response to health threats is a global endeavor that we are committed to pursuing collectively and with solidarity across borders.”

Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, expressed appreciation for the EU’s swift response, emphasizing the importance of international partnerships in addressing public health emergencies. “The donation of over 215,000 doses from Bavarian Nordic is a crucial step in our fight against this crisis. This partnership not only provides essential vaccines but also highlights our shared commitment to protecting health across Africa,” Kaseya stated.

He further added, “Together, we will strengthen our response efforts and ensure that communities across the continent receive the protection they need.”

The Africa CDC on Tuesday declared mpox a public health emergency of continental security following the alarming viral infection spread rate.

Making the declaration in an online media briefing, Jan Kaseya said the move was a necessary measure in the face of the alarming rate of spread of the viral infection on the continent.

“I declare with a heavy heart but with an unyielding commitment to our people, to our African citizens, that we declare mpox a public health emergency of continental security.

“Mpox has now crossed borders, affecting thousands across our continent, families have been torn apart and the pain and suffering have touched every corner of our continent.

“This declaration is not merely a formality, it is a clarion call to action. It is a recognition that we can no longer afford to be reactive. We must be proactive and aggressive in our efforts to contain and eliminate this threat,” Kaseya stated.