In a significant move to combat the ongoing mpox outbreak in Africa, Bavarian Nordic A/S (OMX: BAVA) and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, have signed an advance purchase agreement (APA) to secure 500,000 doses of the MVA-BN® mpox vaccine. 

This agreement aims to deliver the doses in 2024, targeting African nations affected by the outbreak.

The vaccines, marketed under the names JYNNEOS® and IMVANEX®, will be funded by Gavi’s First Response Fund, a financial mechanism established after the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure swift access to critical vaccine supplies during global health emergencies.

The fund, launched in June 2024, was designed in collaboration with Gavi donors and partners to provide immediate financial support for vaccine procurement during crises like the mpox outbreak.

Gavi Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sania Nishtar, highlighted the importance of this rapid response.

“The First Response Fund was created to provide rapid early funding for emergencies such as mpox,” Dr Nishtar said. 

“Using it today to fund the first direct transaction for vaccines, just over a month since mpox was declared a public health emergency, takes us a long way towards our goal of protecting those most at risk.” 

She added that the agreement underscores Gavi’s commitment to working closely with affected governments and partners to ensure efficient vaccine distribution.

Bavarian Nordic’s President Paul Chaplin, expressed his company's commitment to supporting global health initiatives.

“The doses secured through this agreement will significantly increase the availability of mpox vaccines for African countries. We are pleased that Gavi has selected our MVA-BN vaccine, which proved highly effective during the 2022 global mpox outbreak,” Chaplin said.

In a critical development, the MVA-BN vaccine received prequalification from the World Health Organisation (WHO) on September 13, 2024. 

Pending the signing of a supply agreement with UNICEF, Gavi's alliance partner, Bavarian Nordic will begin delivering the doses as early as 2024. 

These doses are expected to be allocated in line with WHO’s Access and Allocation Mechanism, ensuring they reach the populations most in need.

Gavi has also been proactive in supporting the mpox response. Following the declaration of mpox as a public health emergency, the organisation rapidly activated its First Response Fund and unlocked emergency funding to help affected countries prepare for vaccine rollouts.

Preparations include healthcare worker training and community engagement, essential steps in ensuring the success of the vaccination campaigns.

Looking ahead, Gavi plans to build a global vaccine stockpile for future outbreaks, contingent on securing sufficient funding through 2030.

The organisation is also laying the groundwork for the establishment of a sustainable vaccine manufacturing industry in Africa through the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator, another initiative launched in June 2024.

This APA builds on Bavarian Nordic’s previous contributions to the mpox outbreak response, including the delivery of over 250,000 doses to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), donated by other nations, and Bavarian Nordic.

As the world continues to battle health emergencies, this agreement marks a major step forward in securing vaccine equity and ensuring vulnerable populations in Africa have access to life-saving vaccines.