MPOX TRACKER

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has amplified calls for Denmark-based Bavarian Nordic to address global Mpox vaccine inequities by sharing production technology and reducing vaccine prices for lower-income countries. AHF’s appeal aligns with Public Citizen’s advocacy for expanding access to Bavarian Nordic’s Jynneos vaccine through regional manufacturing partnerships in Africa.

The urgency stems from Africa’s continuing struggle with the Mpox outbreak, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has reported over 50,000 confirmed or suspected cases and more than 1,000 deaths. Disturbingly, children under 15 account for 60% of cases and 85% of fatalities. This grim reality underscores the urgent need for localized vaccine production and equitable distribution.

While Bavarian Nordic’s recent technology-sharing agreement with India marks progress, AHF insists this falls short. Daniel Reijer, AHF Europe Bureau Chief, called on the company to “prioritize Africa with lower costs, technology transfer, and regional manufacturing” to combat the outbreak effectively. Without immediate action, the world risks repeating the inequitable vaccine access failures of the COVID-19 pandemic, where corporate profits often overshadowed human lives.

AHF further urges wealthy nations with excess vaccine stockpiles to donate doses to the hardest-hit countries. Global cooperation and a commitment to equitable vaccine access are essential to saving lives and containing Mpox’s spread. Bavarian Nordic’s leadership could set a precedent for equitable vaccine distribution in future global health crises, demonstrating that humanitarian responsibility must outweigh corporate profit motives.