UNICEF has launched an emergency tender to procure Mpox vaccines in response to the ongoing outbreak, which has been declared a public health emergency by both the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The tender aims to secure vaccines for the most affected countries, collaborating with Africa CDC, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO, the Pan American Health Organization, and other partners. This effort includes facilitating vaccine donations from high-income countries to control the spread of Mpox.
UNICEF will establish conditional supply agreements with vaccine manufacturers, allowing for prompt purchase and shipment of vaccines once financing, demand, readiness, and regulatory approvals are confirmed. WHO is reviewing manufacturer submissions for Emergency Use Listing and expects to complete this by mid-September.
This year, over 18,000 suspected Mpox cases, including 629 deaths, have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the epicenter of the crisis, with children accounting for four out of five deaths.
“Addressing the current vaccine shortage and delivering vaccines to affected communities is crucial,” said Leila Pakkala, Director of UNICEF Supply Division. “We also need a transparent allocation system to ensure fair access to vaccines.”
Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, emphasized the importance of swift and equitable vaccine distribution, stating that this “tender is a vital step in controlling the outbreak.”
Dr. Derrick Sim, interim Chief Vaccine Programmes and Markets Officer at Gavi, highlighted the need for rapid and coordinated actions to secure and distribute vaccines, noting that this tender will help meet immediate vaccine needs.
WHO’s Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove stressed the urgency of a coordinated global response to prevent Mpox from becoming a greater threat, emphasizing that collaboration is key to addressing the outbreak effectively.
The emergency tender aims to ensure immediate access to existing vaccines and expand production, with potential agreements for up to 12 million doses through 2025, depending on demand and funding.
In addition to vaccines, efforts include infection prevention, control measures, risk communication, and community engagement. UNICEF is also providing personal protective equipment, diagnostic tests, medical kits, and other supplies to support medical responses in affected countries.
UNICEF is the world’s largest vaccine buyer, securing over 2 billion doses annually for child immunization and outbreak responses across nearly 100 countries.