Monkeypox outbreak: UNICEF launches emergency vaccine tender

United Nations Institutions of UNICEF has said that he M. pox (Monkey pox) has launched an emergency tender for vaccines to help countries most affected by the recent outbreak of the pandemic.

According to the AFP news agency, UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the Gavi Vaccine Alliance and the Africa CDC said in a joint statement on Saturday that ‘Emergency tender M. pox vaccine is designed to increase production as well as immediate access. has been done.’

The statement added: ‘Depending on vaccine demand, manufacturers’ productivity and funding, 12 million doses could be contracted by 2025.’

Under the emergency tender, UNICEF plans to enter into conditional supply agreements with vaccine manufacturers.

According to the statement: ‘Once funding, demand and production are confirmed by countries and partners and regulatory requirements for vaccine approval are met, UNICEF will proceed without delay to purchase and ship vaccines (to various countries). will be able.’

The WHO declared an international emergency regarding monkeypox on August 14, concerned by an increase in cases of the new clade 1b variant in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is also spreading rapidly in neighboring countries.

So far this year, more than 18,000 suspected cases of M. pox have been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, resulting in 629 deaths.

What is Minki Pox?

Monkeypox or ‘m-pox’ was discovered by scientists in 1958, when a ‘pox-like’ disease broke out in monkeys.

Until recently, the disease in humans was observed in people in Central and West Africa who came into close contact with infected animals.

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In 2022, the virus was first confirmed to be sexually transmitted and has led to an epidemic in more than 70 countries worldwide.

Symptoms of monkeypox

M. pox belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox and its symptoms include fever, chills and body aches.

In more severe cases of this disease, a person gets sores on the face, hands, chest and genitals.

How to protect yourself from monkeypox?

According to information on the World Health Organization (WHO) website, if someone you know is diagnosed with or suspected of having Mpox, avoid close contact with them, including sexual contact.

Know the symptoms of monkeypox and get yourself checked regularly.