Donate smallpox vaccines for mpox outbreak, WHO urges wealthy nations

Smallpox vaccines are effective against mpox as the two viruses are closely related.

But as a worrying outbreak of mpox strain intensifies in east Africa , few vaccines have reached the hardest hit regions.

Only 265,000 vaccines have arrived in the DRC , the epicentre, which is set to roll out its first shots within weeks .

Most of Bavarian Nordic vaccines currently available were purchased in 2022 .

There are concerns expiry dates are too tight to donate them to the DRC .

The UK is funding Gavi , the Vaccine Alliance , which procures shots for lower and middle income countries.

Gavi last week purchased 500,000 mpox vaccines for the outbreak.

Strong surveillance, really targeted risk communication materials, making sure patients are cared for appropriately in either healthcare facilities or through home care, making sure that families have access to clean water to wash clothes and linens. She added: “ Vaccines are an additional component to that. They are an important one but I really want emphasise this over-reliance on vaccines, because this is not how this outbreak is going to stop.” Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security .