UPSC Editorial Analysis: Global Health Security: Mpox Outbreak and Vaccine Equity
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: The Hindu
General Studies-3; Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Introduction
• The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), and the Africa CDC has announced it as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS).
• This response highlights the growing concern over the global spread of Mpox, with cases emerging in countries as distant as Sweden, Pakistan, and the Philippines.
• The outbreak, which originated in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), underscores the critical importance of global health security and the challenges of vaccine equity.
Background
• The WHO’s declaration marks the first PHEIC since the May 2024 amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR), which now include equity as a core principle.
• The IHR reforms, effective from 2025, aim to ensure that international cooperation and resource mobilization are central to the global health response.
Lessons from COVID-19
• The COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant weaknesses in global health security, particularly in vaccine equity.
• The Global South faced significant delays and shortages in accessing vaccines, largely due to inadequate manufacturing capabilities and a lack of technology transfer from the West.
• Indian manufacturers played a pivotal role in bridging this gap, highlighting the importance of sustainable, low-cost vaccine production.
• The Mpox outbreak serves as a reminder of the critical need to address these disparities to ensure equitable access to vaccines during health emergencies.
Challenges in Vaccine Production
• One of the immediate challenges in responding to the Mpox outbreak is the limited availability of vaccine doses. Currently, only 0.21 million doses of the Mpox vaccine are available, far short of the 10 million doses needed.
• The high estimated price of the vaccine shot, around $100, further exacerbates the issue of access, particularly for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• The situation is compounded by historical hurdles in technology transfer, with pharmaceutical companies often reluctant to share knowledge during outbreak responses.
• Comprehensive technology transfer, including know-how and biological resources, is crucial for scaling up vaccine production.
Role of International Organizations
• The WHO has an expanded role in facilitating the availability of essential medical products during health emergencies.
• Collaboration with organizations like Gavi and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is essential for coordinating the global response.
• Negotiations with pharmaceutical companies for technology transfers are critical for ensuring that LMICs can produce vaccines locally, reducing costs and increasing accessibility.
• These efforts must be supported by the global community to mobilize resources and ensure a coordinated response.
Economic Implications
• The production of low-cost vaccines in LMICs can significantly reduce the economic burden of future outbreaks.
• . The economic benefits of preventing outbreaks far outweigh the costs of producing and distributing vaccines, making it a sound investment for both the Global North and South.
Government Schemes
• In India, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has waived clinical trial requirements for drugs approved in certain countries, including new drugs used in pandemic situations.
• This move is aimed at expediting the availability of critical vaccines, including those for Mpox.
• Indian manufacturers, such as the Serum Institute of India, Bharat Biotech, and Zydus Cadila, have extensive experience in vaccine production, positioning them as key players in the global response to Mpox.
Way Forward
• To address the Mpox outbreak effectively, there is an urgent need to scale up low-cost production of the MVA-BN vaccine in India and other LMIC This can be achieved through international collaboration and negotiations for technology transfers with Bavarian Nordic, the manufacturer of the MVA-BN vaccine.
• Rapid mobilization of financial and technical resources, as well as the sharing of information, is critical for effective outbreak management.
• Leveraging existing vaccine technologies, such as the Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN) vaccine, is crucial for the rapid production and distribution of Mpox vaccines.
• Comprehensive technology transfer, including the sharing of biological resources, know-how, and patents, must be prioritized to ensure that LMICs can produce vaccines locally.
• Strengthening global preparedness for future public health emergencies is essential to avoid repeating the mistakes of past outbreaks and to ensure that all countries can respond effectively to emerging health threats.
Conclusion
• The Mpox outbreak is a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of global health security and the critical importance of vaccine equity.
• The lessons learned from COVID-19 must be applied to ensure that all countries, regardless of income, have access to the vaccines and resources needed to protect their populations.
Practice Question:
The recent Mpox outbreak, declared as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the WHO, has highlighted critical gaps in global health security and vaccine equity. Discuss the challenges faced by low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in accessing vaccines during global health emergencies. Analyze the role of international organizations in addressing these challenges and suggest strategies to ensure equitable access to vaccines in future public health crises.