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The Access and Allocation Mechanism (AAM) for mpox has designated an initial supply of 899,000 vaccine doses to nine nations in Africa that are currently experiencing a significant surge in mpox cases. This initiative, developed in partnership with affected countries and various donors, aims to ensure the equitable and effective use of these limited doses to help control the ongoing outbreaks.
The allocation was approved by key stakeholders from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO). This decision followed recommendations from an independent Technical Review Committee associated with the Continental Incident Management Support Team for mpox. The allocation was based on assessments of country readiness as well as epidemiological data.
The nine countries receiving vaccines include Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda. Notably, DRC will receive 85% of these doses due to its status as the most severely impacted nation; it has reported four out of five laboratory-confirmed cases across Africa this year.
These vaccine doses are sourced from Canada; Gavi; several European Union member states including Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus France Germany Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Poland Portugal Spain; along with contributions from the United States.
In mid-August 2023 WHO declared a public health emergency regarding mpox outbreaks—particularly concerning strain clade Ib—in DRC and neighboring regions. To date this year alone 19 African nations have reported cases of mpox many being newly affected by this viral disease. The epicenter remains DRC where over 38 thousand suspected cases have been documented alongside more than 1 thousand fatalities.
Vaccination is recommended as part of a comprehensive strategy against mpox which also emphasizes timely testing diagnosis effective clinical care infection prevention measures along with community engagement among those affected. Vaccines are crucial in reducing transmission rates thereby aiding efforts to contain outbreaks.
Recently limited vaccination efforts commenced in both DRC and Rwanda marking a pivotal step towards coordinated deployment aimed at halting further spread of mpox through targeted vaccination initiatives across these nine nations.
This rollout represents a new challenge for many countries involved necessitating additional resources for successful implementation. Partners within AAM established last month are actively working towards enhancing response capabilities with further allocations anticipated before year-end.
Important Information for Editors
Main Highlights Regarding Vaccination Strategy Under Global Preparedness Plans:
- Vaccine Availability: By late 2024 over 5.85 million vaccine doses are projected to be accessible through Mpox Vaccines AAM including nearly allocated doses mentioned earlier. Contributions come from multiple sources such as donations totaling approximately 1.85 million MVA-BN doses provided by EU US Canada alongside additional procurements via UNICEF amounting up to half a million MVA-BN vaccines plus another three million LC16 vaccines supplied by Japan.
- Phased Vaccination Approach:
- Catalyzing Vaccine Impact Through Strategic Deployment: A focused approach can significantly mitigate transmission risks concentrating efforts primarily upon those facing highest exposure likelihoods such close contacts household members sexual partners linked confirmed infections while integrating preventive measures optimizing overall effectiveness achieved via vaccination campaigns undertaken collectively across all participating entities involved throughout process execution phases outlined above
< br/> - Demand Forecasting For Phase Two Implementation: An estimated need exists requiring vaccinations extending beyond ten million additional individuals aimed protecting high-risk demographics throughout continent informed current epidemiological insights emerging patterns observed during outbreak progression updates forthcoming once fresh data becomes available reflecting evolving circumstances surrounding situation unfolding presently
< br/> - Status Updates On Regulatory Policies: SAGE recommends off-label usage children pregnant women outbreak settings necessitating expedited regulatory pathways ensuring timely access infants children delivery support enhancements required address logistical challenges encountered during distribution processes facilitating efficient outreach initiatives undertaken locally ensuring maximum coverage achieved effectively reaching target populations identified previously
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• Phase One: Outbreak Containment – This phase focuses on interrupting transmission through targeted vaccinations directed at individuals most susceptible including confirmed case contacts healthcare workers frontline responders along with other high-risk populations located within areas experiencing active human-to-human transmission.
• Phase Two: Broaden Protection – As more vaccine supplies become available this phase aims at safeguarding larger segments within vulnerable communities targeting individuals identified at heightened risk based upon local epidemiological trends particularly focusing on regions exhibiting elevated incidence rates while prioritizing groups like those living with HIV internally displaced persons refugees who face increased chances severe outcomes.
• Phase Three: Future Immunity Building – This final stage seeks long-term population immunity development designed specifically guard against potential future outbreaks forming part comprehensive control program addressing ongoing challenges posed by mpox.
The first phase targets approximately vaccinating around 1.4 million high-risk individuals before end-year utilizing initial allocations comprising 2.8 million MVA-BN vaccines dedicated solely toward achieving objectives outlined herein.
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