UNICEF Issues Emergency Tender to Secure Mpox Vaccines for Crisis-Hit Countries in Collaboration with Africa CDC, Gavi, and WHO

What Is Mpox?

Mpox, a zoonotic viral disease caused by the Mpox virus, primarily affects animals but can also spread to humans. The virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus, which also includes smallpox. Although Mpox is generally less severe than smallpox, it can lead to severe health complications, especially in populations with weakened immune systems, young children, and the elderly. The virus is transmitted through direct contact with an infected animal, human, or contaminated materials, and it can spread through bodily fluids, respiratory droplets, or skin lesions.

Symptoms of Mpox typically include fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, and in more severe cases, complications such as secondary infections, sepsis, or even death. While the virus has been endemic in some African regions for decades, the recent surge in cases globally, particularly in countries with previously low transmission rates, has triggered an urgent call for vaccine distribution and containment strategies.

The Urgent Need for Mpox Vaccines

The resurgence of Mpox cases, especially in parts of Africa and other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), has created an urgent need for vaccines to prevent further outbreaks. Many of these countries are already dealing with a host of public health crises, including COVID-19, HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, making it difficult to allocate resources to combat a new virus. The limited access to Mpox vaccines in these regions has exacerbated the situation, leaving many populations vulnerable to severe outbreaks.

UNICEF’s emergency tender represents a global call to secure life-saving vaccines for countries in urgent need. The initiative aims to mitigate the spread of Mpox by ensuring that vaccines are rapidly produced, distributed, and administered in regions where health systems are already overwhelmed by other diseases and where resources are limited.

Collaborative Efforts UNICEF, Africa CDC, Gavi, and WHO

The collaboration between UNICEF, Africa CDC, Gavi, and WHO represents a multifaceted approach to combating Mpox. Each of these organizations brings its unique expertise, resources, and networks to the table, ensuring that the response is both swift and effective.

UNICEF’s Role in Vaccine Procurement and Distribution

UNICEF has a long history of being at the forefront of global vaccination efforts. The organization is one of the largest buyers of vaccines worldwide, with a well-established supply chain that ensures the timely delivery of vaccines to some of the world’s most remote and vulnerable populations. By issuing an emergency tender, UNICEF is leveraging its procurement power to accelerate the availability of Mpox vaccines for countries in crisis.

The organization’s primary role in this initiative is to manage the procurement process, work with manufacturers to secure an adequate supply of vaccines, and coordinate with partners to ensure that vaccines reach the most affected regions. UNICEF is also working closely with governments and local health authorities to ensure that vaccination campaigns are effectively rolled out in areas where they are most needed.

Africa CDC Leading Regional Public Health Response

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) plays a crucial role in leading the regional response to health emergencies on the African continent. As the Mpox outbreak disproportionately affects African countries, Africa CDC is at the forefront of coordinating efforts to contain the virus and protect vulnerable populations.

Africa CDC’s involvement in this collaborative effort includes providing technical expertise, supporting countries with case detection and monitoring, and coordinating with member states to ensure a unified response to the outbreak. Africa CDC is also working to strengthen the continent’s capacity to manufacture and distribute vaccines, ensuring that Africa becomes less dependent on external sources for critical medical supplies.

Gavi The Vaccine Alliance – Ensuring Equitable Access

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has been instrumental in ensuring that low-income countries have access to life-saving vaccines. Over the years, Gavi has helped vaccinate millions of children and adults against preventable diseases, and its role in the Mpox response is equally vital.

In this collaboration, Gavi’s primary focus is on ensuring equitable access to Mpox vaccines for the most vulnerable populations, particularly in LMICs. Gavi is working with vaccine manufacturers to secure a steady supply of doses and is coordinating with governments and partners to ensure that vaccines are distributed equitably, reaching the people who need them most.

WHO Guiding Global Health Response and Policy

The World Health Organization (WHO) has been a leading authority in global health for decades, providing guidance, setting standards, and coordinating international responses to health emergencies. In the case of the Mpox outbreak, WHO is playing a critical role in shaping global policies for vaccine distribution, clinical care, and outbreak containment.

WHO’s involvement in this collaboration includes providing technical guidance to countries on how to effectively roll out Mpox vaccination campaigns, supporting surveillance and case detection efforts, and coordinating with global partners to ensure a unified response. WHO’s expertise in managing pandemics and health crises is instrumental in ensuring that the global response to Mpox is well-coordinated and effective.

Addressing Vaccine Inequity and Overcoming Challenges

One of the key challenges in combating Mpox is vaccine inequity. Many of the countries most affected by the virus are also the least equipped to handle large-scale outbreaks due to limited healthcare infrastructure, lack of resources, and ongoing struggles with other infectious diseases. The global collaboration between UNICEF, Africa CDC, Gavi, and WHO aims to address these inequities by ensuring that vaccines are made available to countries that need them most.

Another challenge is the limited production capacity of Mpox vaccines. Unlike vaccines for more common diseases like measles or polio, Mpox vaccines are not produced on a large scale, meaning that manufacturers must ramp up production to meet the growing demand. UNICEF’s emergency tender is a crucial step in encouraging manufacturers to increase production and ensure that vaccines are available in sufficient quantities to meet global needs.

Distribution and logistics also pose significant challenges, particularly in countries with poor infrastructure. Ensuring that vaccines are delivered to remote and crisis-hit areas requires careful planning and coordination between governments, health agencies, and humanitarian organizations. The collaboration between UNICEF, Africa CDC, Gavi, and WHO is focused on overcoming these logistical challenges by leveraging their collective expertise and resources.

The Importance of a Coordinated Global Response

The global response to the Mpox outbreak highlights the importance of coordinated efforts in addressing public health emergencies. By working together, UNICEF, Africa CDC, Gavi, and WHO are ensuring that no country is left behind in the fight against Mpox. This collaboration is also a reminder of the interconnectedness of global health, as viruses like Mpox do not respect borders and can quickly spread from one country to another.

The Mpox outbreak also underscores the importance of investing in health systems and pandemic preparedness. Countries with strong health systems and robust vaccination programs are better equipped to handle outbreaks, while those with weaker systems are more vulnerable to the devastating effects of pandemics. The global collaboration to secure Mpox vaccines is a step toward strengthening health systems in crisis-hit countries, ensuring that they are better prepared to handle future outbreaks.

The Path Forward: Long-Term Solutions

While the emergency tender issued by UNICEF is a critical step in addressing the immediate need for Mpox vaccines, it is important to also consider long-term solutions for preventing future outbreaks. Strengthening global vaccine production capacity, investing in research and development for new vaccines, and improving health infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries are all essential components of a comprehensive strategy to combat infectious diseases like Mpox.

Furthermore, building global solidarity and ensuring that countries work together to share resources, knowledge, and technology is crucial for preventing future health crises. The Mpox outbreak has shown that global collaboration is not only possible but necessary for overcoming public health challenges.

The emergency tender issued by UNICEF, in collaboration with Africa CDC, Gavi, and WHO, is a vital step in securing Mpox vaccines for countries most affected by the outbreak. This coordinated effort underscores the importance of global solidarity in addressing public health emergencies and highlights the need for long-term investments in health systems and pandemic preparedness. As the world continues to grapple with the effects of Mpox and other infectious diseases, the collaboration between these organizations serves as a model for how the global community can come together to protect vulnerable populations and ensure equitable access to life-saving vaccines.

By ensuring that Mpox vaccines reach crisis-hit countries, UNICEF and its partners are making a significant contribution to global health, helping to prevent further outbreaks and save lives. This initiative represents hope for countries struggling to contain the virus and a commitment to building a healthier, more resilient world for all.

1. What is the focus of UNICEF's emergency tender?

UNICEF’s emergency tender aims to secure Mpox vaccines for countries facing a public health crisis due to outbreaks, particularly in regions with limited resources. The initiative is a collaborative effort with Africa CDC, Gavi, and the World Health Organization (WHO) to ensure vaccines reach vulnerable populations.

2. What is Mpox?

Mpox is a zoonotic viral disease caused by the Mpox virus, which belongs to the same family as smallpox. It can spread from animals to humans and between humans via direct contact, respiratory droplets, or contaminated materials. Symptoms include fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes, and in severe cases, complications like infections or even death.

3. Why is there an urgent need for Mpox vaccines?

The recent resurgence of Mpox, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, has created an urgent need for vaccines to prevent widespread outbreaks. These regions are already burdened by other public health issues such as COVID-19, HIV/AIDS, and malaria, making the need for vaccines critical to avoid further strain on healthcare systems.

4. What organizations are involved in this vaccine initiative?

The collaboration involves four key global health organizations:

• UNICEF: Leading vaccine procurement and distribution.
• Africa CDC: Coordinating regional public health responses across Africa.
• Gavi (The Vaccine Alliance): Ensuring equitable access to vaccines.
• WHO: Providing technical guidance and shaping global health policies related to Mpox.

5. What role does UNICEF play in this initiative?

UNICEF is responsible for managing the procurement of Mpox vaccines and coordinating with manufacturers to secure a sufficient supply. The organization also ensures the effective distribution of vaccines, especially in crisis-hit regions, by working closely with local governments and health authorities.

6. What is the role of Africa CDC in the Mpox vaccine response?

Africa CDC provides technical expertise and supports African countries with case detection, monitoring, and coordinating a unified response to the Mpox outbreak. It plays a crucial role in ensuring vaccines reach African nations most affected by the virus.

7. How is Gavi contributing to the Mpox vaccine initiative?

Gavi’s main focus is on ensuring equitable access to vaccines, particularly for low- and middle-income countries. The organization works with vaccine manufacturers and governments to secure doses and ensure fair distribution, making vaccines available to those in the most vulnerable areas.

8. What is the WHO's role in combating Mpox?

The WHO provides technical guidance on vaccine rollout, surveillance, and case detection. WHO coordinates with global partners to manage the outbreak effectively and offers policy direction to help countries contain the virus.

9. What are the major challenges in addressing Mpox outbreaks?

Some key challenges include:

• Vaccine Inequity: Many affected countries lack the resources to secure vaccines.
• Limited Vaccine Production: Mpox vaccines are not produced on a large scale, making supply scarce.
• Distribution Issues: Delivering vaccines to remote or crisis-hit areas with poor infrastructure is a significant challenge.

10. What is the significance of the global collaboration between UNICEF, Africa CDC, Gavi, and WHO?

This collaboration ensures a coordinated response to Mpox by pooling expertise, resources, and networks. It addresses global vaccine inequities, ensures equitable access to vaccines, and strengthens health systems in the regions most affected by the outbreak. This unified response aims to prevent further spread of the virus and save lives.

11. Why is equitable access to vaccines important in combating Mpox?

Equitable access is crucial because the countries most affected by Mpox often have limited resources to combat outbreaks. Ensuring that vaccines are available in these areas helps prevent the virus from spreading further and protects the most vulnerable populations.

12. How does this initiative address long-term solutions for future outbreaks?

In addition to the immediate response, this collaboration emphasizes long-term solutions by investing in:

• Strengthening global vaccine production capacity.
• Improving health infrastructure in low-income countries.
• Fostering global cooperation to prevent and manage future health crises.

13. How can stronger health systems help prevent future outbreaks?

Countries with robust health systems are better equipped to manage outbreaks, conduct vaccinations, and provide healthcare services. Strong health infrastructure allows for quicker detection, containment, and treatment of diseases like Mpox, reducing the risk of large-scale outbreaks.

14. How will the vaccines be distributed to crisis-hit countries?

UNICEF, in collaboration with Africa CDC, Gavi, and WHO, will oversee the logistics of distributing the vaccines. This involves working closely with governments, health agencies, and humanitarian organizations to ensure that vaccines reach remote and vulnerable populations efficiently.

15. What role does vaccine production capacity play in addressing the Mpox outbreak?

Increasing the production capacity of Mpox vaccines is critical to meeting the global demand. The emergency tender issued by UNICEF encourages vaccine manufacturers to ramp up production to ensure enough doses are available for global distribution, particularly in countries experiencing outbreaks.

16. How does this initiative contribute to global health resilience?

By addressing the immediate need for Mpox vaccines and strengthening health systems, this initiative contributes to long-term global health resilience. It ensures that countries are better prepared to handle future outbreaks and that vulnerable populations are protected from infectious diseases.

17. What are the potential long-term benefits of this collaboration?

In addition to addressing the current Mpox outbreak, this collaboration could lead to:

• Improved global coordination in response to future pandemics.
• Strengthened healthcare systems in low-income countries.
• Increased capacity for vaccine production and distribution globally.
• Enhanced research and development for vaccines against emerging infectious diseases.

18. How can this initiative serve as a model for future health crises?

This collaborative effort demonstrates the importance of global partnerships in tackling public health emergencies. The coordinated response between UNICEF, Africa CDC, Gavi, and WHO shows that pooling resources and expertise can lead to effective solutions, potentially serving as a blueprint for addressing future pandemics and health crises.

19. What impact could this initiative have on preventing further Mpox outbreaks?

By securing and distributing vaccines to countries facing the highest risks, this initiative could significantly reduce the spread of Mpox. Vaccinating at-risk populations will help prevent further outbreaks, reduce the number of severe cases, and ultimately save lives.

20. How can global collaboration prevent future public health emergencies?

Global collaboration fosters resource-sharing, knowledge exchange, and joint efforts to combat diseases. By working together, organizations like UNICEF, Africa CDC, Gavi, and WHO can respond more effectively to outbreaks, ensure equitable access to medical supplies, and strengthen health systems worldwide, thus reducing the likelihood and impact of future public health emergencies.