Canada Donates 200,000 Mpox Vaccine Doses to Combat Global Shortage Amid Growing Outbreaks

• Sep 12, 2024

Canada has pledged to donate up to 200,000 doses of the mpox vaccine to help fight the ongoing global shortage, a government spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday. This move comes in response to a worldwide health emergency declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) after a resurgence of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, was observed last month. It’s the second time in two years that the virus has been declared a global threat.

The number of doses donated by Canada will depend on how much vaccine the recipient countries can store and administer. According to a representative from Canada's international development ministry, the government aims to distribute vaccines to the most affected regions, although they have not specified which countries will receive them. The donation is designed to address the imbalance in vaccine availability, especially in African nations, where the vaccine shortage is most acute.

Mpox typically spreads through close contact and often presents mild symptoms, such as flu-like illness and skin lesions. While the disease is usually not life-threatening, in rare cases it can be fatal. The outbreak in 2022 highlighted these risks, particularly in countries with limited access to medical resources.

One of the most concerning aspects of this current outbreak is the spread of a new variant of mpox. Originally, an endemic strain called clade I was spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, a new variant known as clade Ib has emerged and appears to spread more easily, including through routine close contact such as sexual contact. This variant has now spread from Congo to neighboring countries like Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, prompting further action from the WHO.

Despite the donation, Canada has remained tight-lipped about the exact details of the shipment, including which countries will receive the vaccines and when they will be delivered. A spokesperson noted that Canada is working closely with global health organizations such as GAVI and the WHO to determine the most efficient way to deliver these vaccines to regions in need.

Health Canada has faced criticism for its lack of transparency regarding its vaccine stockpile. While officials have declined to provide specific figures for security reasons, estimates suggest Canada has over 2 million doses of the mpox vaccine, produced by Bavarian Nordic.

Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) has urged the Canadian government to be more forthcoming about its vaccine supply and distribution plans. Adam Houston, a medical policy advisor for the organization, emphasized that the Canadian government needs to be transparent about both its own needs and its plans to distribute the vaccine internationally.

This donation marks a significant step towards tackling the global inequity in mpox vaccine access. As the outbreak continues to expand, particularly across Africa, international cooperation will be essential in ensuring vaccines and medical resources reach those most in need.

Source: Reuters