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the need for continued investments in vaccine access,
diagnostic capacity, and operational readiness. The
risk of resurgence, particularly in high-burden settings,
remains significant.

Several initiatives are underway to close the Mpox vaccine
gap, including the planned distribution of 50,000 doses,
the HERA–Bavarian Nordic partnership securing 215,000
doses, and the accelerated WHO EUL process to expand
regulatory access. Most recently, Africa CDC received
an additional 110,000 MVA-BN doses from Bavarian
Nordic, bringing the company’s total contributions to
165,000 doses for Africa. Through the Mpox Access and
Allocation Mechanism, these newly donated doses have
been allocated to Uganda, one of the most affected
countries in 2025, strengthening its outbreak response
and improving equitable vaccine access across the
continent.

While these efforts reflect growing momentum, they
also underscore the continued need for sustained
financing, regional manufacturing, and fair procurement
mechanisms to secure long-term vaccine readiness for
Africa.

What Can the Public Do?
important that we respond with calm, informed actions Public awareness and prevention remain key pillars of
rather than succumbing to panic or misinformation.”
Mpox control. Individuals can reduce their risk by:
• Avoiding close contact with people who have a
rash or symptoms consistent with Mpox
Vaccine Access: A Major Challenge • Practising good hand hygiene, including regular
handwashing
Although the Mpox situation has stabilised in several • Seeking medical advice promptly if symptoms
countries, vaccine access remains one of the most critical develop
constraints in sustaining control efforts. At the height of • Relying on credible sources of information and
the outbreak, Africa required an estimated 10 million avoiding the spread of misinformation
Mpox vaccine doses, yet only around 20,000 doses were
initially available. This severe imbalance prompted Africa Education, early detection, and community engagement
CDC to declare Mpox a Public Health Emergency of are essential to breaking chains of transmission.
Continental Security (PHECS) in August 2024, a historic
first for the continent.
“The focus remains on educating the public,
Following months of intensified surveillance, improved ensuring access to vaccines, and coordinating
coordination, declining transmission rates in several a robust international response to contain the
affected regions, and strengthened national response outbreak and prevent further spread,”
capacities, Africa CDC lifted the continental emergency says Dr Ndwandwe.
designation on 22 January 2026. However, the decision
to remove the emergency status does not diminish

THE COMMUNITY ISSUE 27