An international consortium, MpoxVax AFRIVAC, has been launched to combat the escalating Mpox outbreak in Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the epidemic is most acute. Led by University College Dublin (UCD), this €1.3 million initiative aims to enhance vaccine trials and improve outbreak management strategies across the continent.
The MpoxVax AFRIVAC consortium brings together leading institutions from Africa and Europe, including the Makerere University Lung Institute in Uganda, Université Catholique de Bukavu in DRC, the National Institute for Medical Research in Tanzania, the University of St Andrews in the UK, and the Uganda Virus Research Institute. Funded by the European Commission’s Global Health EDCTP3 program, the 30-month project focuses on advancing scientific knowledge and strengthening healthcare infrastructure to manage Mpox in severely impacted regions.
Under the leadership of Professor Patrick Mallon, Director of UCD’s Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR), and Scientific Coordinator Professor Bruce Kirenga of Makerere University, the initiative will extend clinical trials of the Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA-BN) vaccine from Ireland to African nations. This expansion enables researchers to assess vaccine effectiveness directly in African populations most affected by the Mpox outbreak.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) following over 20,000 reported cases and 600 deaths in the DRC in 2024 alone. Cases have been recorded in 13 African nations, prompting an urgent need for targeted and effective vaccine solutions.
Professor Mallon highlighted the consortium's objectives, stating, “MpoxVax AFRIVAC will not only enhance vaccine efficacy trials in Africa but will also help equip the region to respond better to emerging health threats.”
Professor Kirenga stressed the importance of Africa-centered trials, noting, “Our study will yield vital data on immune responses in the communities most affected by Mpox, supporting more effective epidemic control across the continent.”
MpoxVax AFRIVAC represents a critical effort to address the ongoing health crisis, offering hope for better containment and preventive strategies to manage the spread of Mpox in Africa.
Article by Nyokabi Wanjiku
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