To address the ongoing outbreak of mpox in Africa, Germany has decided to contribute by providing 100,000 vaccine doses from its military reserves. This effort aims to offer immediate support to the affected nations. According to a government spokesperson, these doses are intended to aid in controlling the spread of the virus across the continent.
Additionally, Germany is set to offer flexible financial support to the World Health Organization (WHO) through various mechanisms. This financial aid will help combat mpox and strengthen the efforts of WHO’s partners in Africa, notably through the GAVI vaccination alliance.
The German military currently holds approximately 117,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine, which were acquired in 2022. A portion of these vaccines will be retained to ensure the protection of traveling officials. However, any future decisions regarding the procurement of additional vaccines will require further consideration, as noted by a spokesperson from the defense ministry.
Following the declaration by WHO that mpox is a global public health emergency—primarily due to its spread in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the emergence of a new, faster-spreading strain, clade Ib—the German government is focusing on the swift distribution of vaccines.
The immediate priority is to deliver the vaccines to the most affected areas, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and other neighboring East African countries, as confirmed by a foreign ministry spokesperson.
Efforts are being coordinated to ensure that the vaccine distribution is both rapid and efficient. The German government is working closely with international health organizations and regional partners to streamline the logistics and overcome any potential barriers to delivery.
This collaborative approach aims to maximize the impact of the donation and ensure that the vaccines reach the areas in greatest need. By addressing both immediate and long-term challenges, Germany’s contribution seeks to help curb the mpox outbreak and support the broader global response to the crisis.
