(Photo : WHO)

In an attempt to control the recent monkeypox outbreak, UNICEF has issued an emergency tender to obtain mpox vaccines for the countries, worst hit by the viral disease.

The UN agency, in a statement announced that, it will be collaborating with Africa CDC, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO and the Pan American Health Organization to improve access to available mpox vaccines, to increase its production and also to enable donations of vaccines from existing stockpiles in high-income countries.

The tender will help set up conditional supply agreements with vaccine manufacturers and thus speed up the purchase and shipping ofvaccines once financing is done, demand plus readiness confirmed and the regulatory requirements for accepting the vaccines are completed properly, UNICEF said in a statement.

Subjecting to certain aspects like demand, funding and production capacity of manufacturers, UNICEF expected to arrange around 12 million doses of the vaccine by 2025.

 The agency also revealed that World Health Organization (WHO), which is currently analyzing the information submitted by Vaccine manufacturers on 23 August, will complete its review for Emergency Use Listing by mid- September.

The partnershipwill focus mainly on areas related to control and prevention of infection, risk communication and community engagement.

Necessary steps will be taken to provide personal protection equipment, diagnostic tests, medical treatment kits, hygiene supplies and tents to the countries affected by the disease.

"Addressing the current mpox vaccine shortage and delivering vaccines to communities who need them now is of paramount importance. There is also a pressing need for a universal and transparent allocation mechanism to ensure equitable access to mpox vaccines," Leila Pakkala, UNICEF Supply Division Director, said.

Mpox,a viral illness caused by the monkey pox virus- a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus- was first reported in monkeys in 1958. It was in 1970 in Democratic Republic of the Congo, the first human case of mpox was reported. The viral disease started spreadingto different parts of the world in 2022.

Monkeypox is caused mainly by clade I and clade II viruses. Clade I can cause severe symptoms and deaths than the latter.

DRC is affected by clade I. It has reported 18,000 cases of mpox and 629 deaths this year.

Some other countries affected by mpoxincludeBurundi, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya.

Being concerned about the recent surge in the mpoxcases, it was on 14 August2024, WHO declared the mpoxoutbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

The virus can spread through contact with an infected person, animal or any contaminated material. Symptoms include rashes, sore throat, headache, fever, muscle aches, low energy, back pain and swollen lymph nodes. vaccines are the most effective tool which can help prevent spread of the disease.