Bavarian Nordic's Vaccine Supply Initiatives for Mpox
COPENHAGEN, Denmark – Bavarian Nordic A/S (OMX: BAVA) has provided a comprehensive update on its efforts to ensure a steady supply of vaccines aimed at tackling the ongoing mpox outbreak. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has classified this outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS). In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
Commitment to Equitable Vaccine Access
“Bavarian Nordic is working closely with various partners to ensure fair access to our mpox vaccine throughout the current PHECS and PHEIC,” said Paul Chaplin, President & CEO of Bavarian Nordic. “We have formed a strong partnership with Africa CDC, concentrating not only on supply chains but also on boosting our manufacturing capabilities within Africa. Our collaboration with WHO is aimed at securing a regulatory pathway that guarantees access for all countries, while we also seek approval for adolescent use and initiate clinical studies in Africa to extend vaccination to children.”
History of Vaccine Distribution and Efficacy
In previous global health emergencies, Bavarian Nordic successfully delivered over 15 million doses of the mpox vaccine to 76 countries during the mpox PHEIC of 2022/23. This effort to provide equitable vaccine access played a crucial role in controlling that outbreak, with clinical evidence indicating high efficacy rates after one or two vaccinations, significantly lowering hospitalization rates among those infected.
Expansion of Vaccine Manufacturing Capacity
Since 2022, Bavarian Nordic has been proactive in building a vaccine inventory to prepare for potential future mpox outbreaks. In light of recent developments, the company has committed to enhancing its manufacturing capacity to ensure continued equitable access to the mpox vaccine. Bavarian Nordic has informed the Africa CDC that it can produce an additional 10 million doses by the end of 2025, while also fulfilling existing orders, and it expects to supply up to 2 million doses within the current year.
Focus on Youth Vaccination
As many current mpox cases in Africa involve individuals under 18, Bavarian Nordic has submitted clinical data to the EMA to support the use of the vaccine in adolescents aged 12–17. This data comes from a collaborative clinical study conducted with the NIAID, part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), which included over 300 participants aged 12-17 (NCT05740982). Additionally, in partnership with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), a clinical trial will soon begin to assess the immunogenicity and safety of the MVA-BN vaccine in children aged 2-12 years, further broadening its potential application in younger populations.
About Bavarian Nordic
Bavarian Nordic operates as a fully integrated vaccine company dedicated to protecting and saving lives through innovative vaccines. The company is recognized as a global leader in smallpox and mpox vaccines, supplying these essential products to governments to enhance public health preparedness. It has a diverse portfolio of vaccines developed for travelers and endemic diseases. For more information, please visit www.bavarian-nordic.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Bavarian Nordic's role regarding the mpox vaccine?
Bavarian Nordic is dedicated to ensuring equitable access to its mpox vaccine by collaborating closely with the Africa CDC and WHO to manage supply and enhance manufacturing capabilities.
2. How many doses of the mpox vaccine has Bavarian Nordic supplied?
The company has delivered over 15 million doses of the mpox vaccine to more than 76 countries during the recent outbreak.
3. What steps is Bavarian Nordic taking for future manufacturing?
Bavarian Nordic plans to boost its manufacturing capacity to produce an additional 10 million doses by the end of 2025, with up to 2 million doses expected to be available this year.
4. What age group is Bavarian Nordic focusing on for vaccinations?
The company has recently submitted data to support vaccine use in adolescents aged 12–17 and is also conducting trials for children aged 2-12.
5. What diseases does Bavarian Nordic's portfolio cover?
Bavarian Nordic specializes in vaccines for smallpox and mpox, as well as providing vaccines for travelers and endemic diseases, contributing to global health preparedness.