The World Health Organization (WHO) is set to make a decision on issuing an emergency use listing (EUL) for an mpox vaccine within the next three weeks. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the timeline during the WHO Africa regional conference on Monday, following the submission of all required information by the vaccine manufacturer last Friday.
Dr. Tedros stated, “The WHO will decide on whether to issue an emergency use listing (EUL) for an mpox vaccine within three weeks after its manufacturer supplied the global body with all the required information last Friday.” The EUL process is designed to expedite the evaluation and authorization of vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments in response to public health emergencies.
Dr. Tedros also emphasized the need for approximately $135 million to manage the ongoing mpox outbreaks in Africa, highlighting that a comprehensive and coordinated international response is essential. READ ALSO: Lagos, Oyo, 9 other states record more cases of Monkey Pox The WHO has faced criticism for delays in evaluating mpox vaccines already approved in the U.
S. and Europe. This delay has left African countries dependent on donated vaccines.
Germany has committed to donating 100,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine from its military stock to African nations struggling with severe outbreaks. The German army maintains a stockpile of around 117,000 doses procured in 2022. Africa’s major vaccine procurers, Gavi and UNICEF, are unabl.