Denmark-based vaccines company Bavarian Nordic A/S (CPH:BAVA) announced on Wednesday an agreement with vaccine alliance Gavi to secure 500,000 doses of the MVA-BN mpox vaccine (marketed as JYNNEOS or IMVANEX) for Africa.

The vaccines will be funded by Gavi's First Response Fund, a mechanism created after the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure rapid access to scarce vaccine supplies in future health emergencies.

Bavarian Nordic's MVA-BN vaccine received prequalification from the WHO on 13 September. Bavarian Nordic will be ready to supply the vaccines pending the signing of a supply agreement with UNICEF, Gavi's alliance partner, which will be delivering these doses.

Gavi is also working to establish a stockpile of mpox vaccines for future outbreaks and to contribute to the establishment of a sustainable vaccine manufacturing industry in Africa.