The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has successfully raised a significant sum of $600 million to combat the surging mpox outbreak on the continent. This announcement comes as the World Health Organization declared mpox a global health emergency in mid-August.
Jean Kaseya, director general of Africa CDC, expressed confidence in the agency’s ability to secure the necessary funds.”If you want to know if I’m positive that we can raise the $600 million, I will safely say yes,” he told reporters.
The increased funding will be crucial in addressing the rising number of mpox cases in Africa. While the agency initially estimated the cost of the response at $245 million, the actual amount needed has grown due to various factors, including the need for more vaccines and expanded surveillance efforts.
Kaseya revealed that the funding will come from a combination of sources, including African Union countries,development partners, philanthropies, and the private sector. The international vaccine alliance, GAVI, has also pledged its support, and Africa CDC is actively negotiating with The Pandemic Fund for additional contributions.
To make mpox vaccines more accessible and affordable for African countries, Africa CDC is prioritizing the transfer of vaccine technology to the continent. This initiative aims to reduce vaccine prices by a substantial 80-90%.
A significant step towards this goal is the ongoing discussions with Danish biotech firm Bavarian Nordic to establish mpox vaccine manufacturing capabilities in Africa. By producing vaccines locally, Africa CDC hopes to ensure adequate supplies and lower costs for African nations.
Kaseya will officially announce the total amount raised at the upcoming U.N. General Assembly in New York.
As of now, Africa has reported over 26,000 suspected mpox cases and 724 deaths in 2023. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, children under 15 years old account for a significant portion of cases and deaths, highlighting the vulnerability of this age group.
