Mpox Outbreak Highlights Vaccine Inequality

CATHERINE MUROMBEDZI
HEALTH CORRESPONDENT

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the ongoing mpox outbreak in Africa a global health emergency.

Awareness is crucial in understanding the modes of transmission of monkeypox (mpox), an nfectious viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus.
Mpox can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, and fever. Most people recover, but some get severe illness and can die.
In such outbreaks, the call for vaccines is urgent.

Anyone can get mpox. It spreads from contact with infected persons, through touch, kissing, or sex, animals, when hunting, skinning, or cooking the meat, or contaminated materials, such as clothes or towels. Pregnant women may pass the virus on to their unborn babies.

The mpox outbreak has brought to the forefront the pressing issue of vaccine inequality, the United States and Europe have implemented immunisation plans.

Low-income nations, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Benin, Central Africa Republic (CAR) Congo, Nigeria, and Ghana lag behind.
South Africa has reported mpox cases in the Gauteng Province, Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal, according to the WHO and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD). It focuses on contact tracing, testing, and vaccination efforts to control the spread of the virus.

The World Health Organisation has called on vaccine manufacturers to apply for emergency use listing, a crucial step towards making vaccines available to international groups for purchase and distribution in low-income countries.
“Despite efforts by Bavarian Nordic to donate 15 000 doses of Jynneos to African countries, the supply falls woefully short of the 10 million doses needed to control the outbreak,” said the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Dr Dimie Ogoina, chair of the WHO mpox emergency committee, emphasized the insufficiency of vaccines, even if countries focus on protecting only the highest-risk individuals.

Clinical trials are underway to evaluate the effectiveness of Jynneos in children and those already exposed to the virus. Additionally, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations is supporting the development of a new mRNA vaccine by BioNTech, which would protect against mpox and related viruses, including smallpox.
The mpox outbreak has been ongoing for an extended period, with missed opportunities to contain it.

Dr Maria Rodriguez, a medical director based in the DRC calls for therapeutic and vaccine equity. The call grows loud as WHO declared the mpox outbreak a global emergency.
Dr Maria couldn’t help but feel a sense of helplessness.

She had been working tirelessly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the outbreak had taken a devastating toll on the community for years with the mpox peaking in 2023.
The virus had spread rapidly, infecting thousands and claiming countless lives. Dr. Maria had seen firsthand the devastating impact of vaccine inequality, as wealthy nations hoarded doses, leaving low-income countries to fend for themselves.

“We are doing everything we can, but it’s just not enough. We need vaccines, and we need them now,” said Dr Maria in a statement.

The WHO’s declaration is a call to action, but Dr Maria knows that words alone wouldn’t save lives. She thought of her patient, 5-year-old Kofi, who had contracted the virus and was fighting for his life. As she worked to save Kofi, Dr Maria couldn’t help but wonder why the world had waited so long to act. Why had it taken a global emergency declaration for countries to take notice?

She knows that vaccine inequality is the barrier. Wealthy nations had secured doses for their citizens, while low-income countries were left to rely on donations and handouts.
She works tirelessly, administering vaccines to those in need, and advocating for more doses to be sent to the Congo.

A glimmer of hope is on the horizon as Bavarian Nordic donated 15,000 doses of Jynneos, and the WHO is working to secure more.
It is a start, but Dr Maria knows it is far from enough. She continues to fight, driven by the memory of Kofi and the countless others who had fallen victim to the virus.
As the world slowly begins to take notice, Dr Maria’s message is clear: “vaccine inequality is a matter of life and death. It’s time for the world to act.”

The African countries have confirmed 2 863 cases and
517 deaths, mainly in the epicenter, the DRC. Suspected cases across the continent have surged past 17 000, from 7 146 cases in 2022. In 2023, a total of 14 957 cases were noted.
Considering the weaknesses in surveillance, laboratory testing, and contact tracing, this can just be a tip of the iceberg.

Mr Tapiwanashe Kujinga,Director of the Pan-African Treatment Access Movement (PATAM) pointed out that past pandemics should be lessons learned.

“Lessons learnt from past pandemics should help in shaping an equitable response to the monkeypox pandemic. Low and middle incomes countries routinely get last priority in the distribution of essential commodities such as vaccines, diagnostic equipment and medicines, as was experienced during the COVID-19 and HIV pandemics. The current pandemic should be an opportunity to make amends and ensure that an equitable approach is adopted,” said Mr Kujinga.

If you suspect that you have mpox, visit a health centre near you. If mpox is confirmed, adhere to prescribed treatment. inform everyone you have been close to recently.
Stay at home until all scabs fall off and a new layer of skin forms
Cover lesions and wear a well-fitting mask when around other people.

Avoid physical contact with others.
With vaccines horded in developed countries’ inventory stocks, mpox being a virus, no one is safe.