After USA, EU countries commit to donate at least 300.000 of mpox vaccines to contain outbreak in Africa

Germany has pledged to donate 100,000 doses of the Money Pox (mpox) vaccines to Africa, after France and Austria made similar commitments last week and as the continent is to belatedly receive 10,000 shots in the coming days amid criticism of delays caused by the World Health Organization’s (WTO) red tape.

The first batch of 10,000 of mpox vaccines, donated by the United States, will finally reach the continent this week, long after they have been made available in other parts of the world. The German government has said it was donating to Africa from its military stocks 100,000 doses of mpox vaccines, designed to tackle a dangerous new variant of the virus. A government spokesperson also revealed Germany plans to provide flexible funding options to the WHO and assistance to African partners through the GAVI vaccine alliance. Currently, Germany’s army has stockpiled approximately 117,000 doses of Jynneos, which it acquired in 2022.

Another 100,000 doses of the mpox vaccine were earlier committed by France that has pledged to send them to regions most affected by the disease. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said that the country would donate the vaccines as it prepares to launch vaccine centers within its borders. Last week, also Austria said it would be aiding Africa in its fight against the spread of the virus by donating at least 34,000 doses, which can be used for up to 170,000 vaccinations.

According to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), arrangements with the European Union and Danish pharmaceutical company Bavarian Nordic, whose vaccine was authorized in 2019, will enable the shipment of some 200,000 vaccines throughout the continent.