EU to Coordinate Mpox Vaccine Donations

The European Commission, through its Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), is set to oversee vaccine donations to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). This initiative follows the successful "Team Europe approach" utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many EU countries are hesitant to commit to donations, as they evaluate their own vaccine stockpiles. France has taken a proactive stance, establishing 232 vaccination sites and proposing to donate 100,000 doses, which Prime Minister Gabriel Attal claims would enhance European solidarity by nearly 50%. Conversely, Czechia has expressed its inability to participate in the donation plans, citing the necessity to maintain adequate vaccine supplies for its at-risk populations. This cautious approach reflects a broader concern among EU nations regarding the balance between domestic needs and international support. The donation strategy is already being implemented in Sweden, with interest from both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa CDC. Professor Anna-Mia Ekström, an expert in global infectious disease epidemiology, highlights the importance of effective vaccine distribution in combating health crises. In a call for global solidarity, EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides urged member states to coordinate their efforts to assist the most affected countries. WHO Regional Director for Europe, Hans Kluge, emphasized the urgency of establishing systems to control outbreaks, warning against a repeat of the inequitable vaccine distribution seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Lancet has echoed this sentiment, advocating for a binding international agreement to ensure equitable access to vaccines.