Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The first delivery of mpox vaccine doses from the European Commission arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
These vaccines are characteristic of the 215,000 MVA-BN vaccine doses that the European Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) procured and committed to sharing with affected countries in Africa as an immediate reaction to the mpox outbreak.
How does the EU’s Global Health Strategy address mpox in Africa?
This endeavour is part of a comprehensive set of EU measures put in place as part of the EU Global Health Strategy, which symbolises the external dimension of a strong European Health Union and is a critical component of Global Gateway, to support partners in the rest of the world.
The EU Commission is actively blending the response of EU Member States to the mpox outbreak via regular sessions of the HERA Board and the Health Security Committee, which allows quick coordination when dealing with health threats.
What is the EU’s plan for distributing mpox vaccines in Africa?
The Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) is in touch with EU Member States given that, if triggered, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (rescEU) can be utilised to channel mpox vaccines and therapeutics to nations in need. Specialised expertise, medical items and supplies could also be deployed based on these conditions.
How is the EU strengthening Africa’s health systems for mpox prevention?
Under the Global Gateway investment strategy, the EU Commission is dedicated to advancing public health in Africa. The Commission has concentrated on strengthening health systems, ensuring pharmaceutical supply chains, and developing local manufacturing via investment in infrastructure and a supportive regulatory environment. An example of this is the Team Europe Initiative on simulating and access to vaccines, medicines and health technologies (Mav+) and on Sustainable Health Security.
How are EU epidemiologists aiding mpox research and response in Africa?
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is helping epidemiological work on the ground in the DRC, performing with the Africa CDC to identify priority regions for mpox research, and is leading coordination of the Network of Major CDCs globally. HERA is also performing with the Africa CDC intending to extend access to mpox diagnostics and sequencing in the area, with a €9.4 million grant foreseen for early autumn.
What humanitarian aid has the EU allocated to combat mpox in DRC?
The Commission has unleashed €1 million in humanitarian aid to support care, precluding, epidemiological surveillance, risk communication and allocation of kits in the eastern DRC as well as €200,000 in Burundi to help the Burundi Red Cross in preparing for and reacting to the epidemic. Under the European Humanitarian Response Capacity (EHRC), in partnership with the ECDC, two epidemiologists were deployed on 4 September to the DRC. In addition, the EU Commission delivers regular humanitarian funding for surveillance programmes, including in Uganda and Kenya’s camps and territories and expertise to help in the response.
