Gavi to get 500,000 mpox vaccine doses from Bavarian Nordic

Gavi, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, has signed an advance purchase agreement with Bavarian Nordic to acquire 500,000 doses of the modified vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN) mpox vaccine. This vaccine, also known under the names JYNNEOS and IMVANEX, is set to be delivered to African countries in 2024, financed by Gavi's First Response Fund.

The First Response Fund is a new emergency financing mechanism aimed at speeding up the procurement of vaccines during health crises. The MVA-BN vaccine received prequalification from the World Health Organization (WHO) on September 13, 2024, paving the way for its distribution, pending a supply agreement with UNICEF, Gavi's distribution partner.

This advance purchase agreement follows a previous delivery of 250,000 doses of Bavarian Nordic's vaccines to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), donated by several countries and Bavarian Nordic. The allocation of these doses adheres to WHO's Access and Allocation Mechanism guidelines to ensure they reach those in most need.

The MVA-BN vaccine holds the distinction of being the only non-replicating mpox vaccine approved in countries such as Canada, the EU, Singapore, Switzerland, the UK, and the US. Originally developed as a smallpox vaccine for immunocompromised individuals, it is now indicated for adults at risk of smallpox or mpox. Bavarian Nordic recently submitted a filing with the European Medicines Agency to extend the vaccine’s approval to adolescents aged 12 to 17. The company is also investigating the vaccine’s safety and efficacy in children aged two to 12 in collaboration with partners like the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).

Paul Chaplin, President and CEO of Bavarian Nordic, expressed his satisfaction with the agreement, stating, "We are pleased to sign this agreement and strengthen our commitment to support Gavi and other global health partners, who have demonstrated strong leadership in making life-saving vaccines available for vulnerable populations in developing countries for decades. The doses secured through this agreement will significantly increase the availability of mpox vaccines for African countries, and we are pleased that Gavi has selected our MVA-BN vaccine, which has proven highly effective during the global mpox outbreak in 2022."

In addition to this agreement, Bavarian Nordic has recently announced plans to prioritize the production of two million mpox vaccines by the end of 2024. This effort aims to combat the disease more effectively in Africa, significantly bolstering the continent's vaccine stockpile and response capabilities.

This partnership between Gavi and Bavarian Nordic exemplifies the ongoing commitment to global health, particularly in developing countries. By making advanced arrangements and leveraging emergency funds, both organizations work towards ensuring that life-saving vaccines are accessible to those who need them most, thus mitigating the impact of potential health crises.