Gavi and Bavarian Nordic announced an Advance Purchase Agreement for 500,000 doses of the Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN) mpox vaccine. These vaccines, funded by Gavi’s First Response Fund, will be delivered to African nations affected by the mpox outbreak in 2024. The vaccine received WHO prequalification and aims to improve access to mpox prevention in vulnerable populations.

[dropcap]G[/dropcap]avi, the Vaccine Alliance, and Bavarian Nordic have secured an Advance Purchase Agreement for 500,000 doses of the MVA-BN mpox vaccine, set for delivery in 2024.

This partnership aims to bolster the fight against the mpox outbreak affecting several African nations.

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The vaccine will be supplied to countries in need, funded by Gavi’s First Response Fund, which was established in June 2024 to respond quickly to health emergencies.

As of late 2024, more than 26,000 cases of mpox, including 724 deaths, have been reported across 15 African Union Member States.

The MVA-BN vaccine, the only non-replicating mpox vaccine approved in the U.S., Switzerland, and Singapore, was prequalified by the WHO on September 13, allowing Bavarian Nordic to supply it to affected countries.

The vaccines will be delivered through Gavi’s alliance partner, UNICEF, ensuring equitable access across the continent.

Paul Chaplin, CEO of Bavarian Nordic, expressed his commitment to ensuring vulnerable populations in developing countries receive life-saving vaccines, emphasising the effectiveness of the MVA-BN vaccine during the 2022 global mpox outbreak.

Gavi’s First Response Fund, activated after the public health emergency declaration, provides emergency funding to affected nations, preparing for vaccine rollout by training healthcare workers and engaging local communities.