Germany to Donate 100,000 Mpox Vaccine Doses to Africa Amid Outbreak

Germany has committed to donating 100,000 doses of mpox vaccines to assist in controlling the outbreak spreading across Africa. According to a government spokesperson on Monday, the vaccines, sourced from the country’s military stocks, will be provided to affected nations for immediate relief.

This initiative is part of Germany’s broader plan to support Africa in combating the virus. In addition to the vaccine donation, Germany will offer financial aid to the World Health Organization (WHO) through flexible funding mechanisms. These funds will be allocated to various instruments to control the mpox outbreak.

Furthermore, Germany will collaborate with the GAVI vaccination alliance to enhance its support for African partners.

The Jynneos vaccine, which Germany procured in 2022 and stockpiled for military purposes, will be used for this donation. Although Germany currently holds around 117,000 doses, it intends to retain a small reserve to protect government officials traveling abroad, stated a defense ministry spokesperson. If necessary, a separate decision regarding procuring additional vaccines will be made later.

The WHO has declared mpox a global public health emergency, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) being the epicenter of the current outbreak. The virus has spread to neighboring countries, raising concerns about its rapid transmission, especially with the emergence of the new clade Ib strain.

Germany is prioritizing the swift delivery of these vaccines to the most affected regions. The primary focus will be on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the outbreak began. However, Burundi and neighboring East African countries will also receive doses as they grapple with the virus’s spread.

This gesture underscores Germany’s commitment to international health efforts, particularly in regions with scarce medical resources. The collaboration with WHO and GAVI will enhance the overall response to the outbreak in Africa, hopefully preventing further escalation.