The World Health Organization (WHO) said its partners such as the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) could start purchasing monkeypox vaccines before they are approved to get them to African countries faster.
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On August 14, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the mpox (as monkeypox) epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighboring countries to be a public health emergency of international concern.
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As noted, organizations such as Gavi can usually purchase vaccines only after receiving approval, but in this case the rules have been relaxed.
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Monkeypox is a rare viral infection that can also be transmitted between people. It is usually a mild illness and most people recover within a few weeks, but some may experience complications. Initial symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion. A rash may develop, often starting on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body. In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) decided to use the new term “mpox” instead of “monkeypox” to refer to monkeypox due to racist and discriminatory remarks.
