The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Health Minister, Samuel-Roger Kamba, was cautiously optimistic on August 19, when he told his fellow citizens they could expect a much-needed shipment of vaccines against the mpox virus to arrive the following week. But a fortnight later, not a single shot has landed in the DRC.
The reason is not a lack of urgency on the part of Dr Kamba and his government – a novel strain of the virus, known as Clade 1b, has ravaged the country all year. Nor is it a lack of supplies – mpox vaccines exist and have already been used to quell previous outbreaks in rich countries.
Instead, the problem appears to be a combination of bureaucracy and indifference. The DRC has been waiting for the World Health Organisation either to approve the available vaccines or issue an emergency licence that would enable use without such approval. One of these is necessary for organisations like Unicef and Gavi, the global vaccine alliance, to buy and distribute immunisations in developing countries.
Mpox has plagued the world since the 1970s. The last global outbreak began just as the Covid-19 pandemic was receding. Since then, strains of the virus have reached at least 119 countries.
But the DRC has been hit especially hard. Mpox is considered endemic there. Clade 1b has infected at least 15,000 Congolese this year, and killed at least 550. Most of the dead are children, including some who succumbed not to the virus itself, but to starvation because of painful lesions in their mouths and throats preventing them from eating.
Authorities in Kinshasa first requested vaccines from the World Health Organisation and the international community two years ago, when US and EU regulators approved a vaccine developed by Danish company Bavarian Nordic and marketed under the name Jynneos to prevent the spread of mpox among their populations.
Kinshasa first requested vaccines from the World Health Organisation and the international community 2 years ago
Nonetheless, poorer nations like the DRC rely on approval from the WHO – not the US Food and Drug Administration or the European Medicines Agency. Bavarian Nordic submitted its research to the WHO in May of last year, but the WHO only began the process of formally considering that research in mid-August, when it declared mpox a “public health emergency of international concern” following Clade 1b’s spread to the DRC’s neighbours.
Part of the reason for the delay is the WHO’s onerous expectations for research data. The FDA and EMA set a relatively low bar for approval – Jynneos was given the green light without human trials – because of the fears around mpox at the time. The WHO has been far more cautious – too cautious, critics say.
Some experts, however, say the hesitation is warranted. No one knows how effective Jynneos and other vaccine candidates would be against the Clade 1b variant; the outbreaks in the West dealt with a different strain. Data released last month by the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases was not promising.
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But a lack of attention and funding has been a major issue, too. The urgency that enabled 1.2 million Jynneos doses to be distributed in the US during the last outbreak quickly waned when the virus receded to Africa. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says that of the $245 million it has requested to fight mpox, only 10 per cent has been funded.
Under growing pressure, the WHO has eased its rules to allow partners to purchase vaccines in advance of any approval. As a result, the organisation said on Friday that a shipment of 230,000 mpox vaccines will arrive in the DRC sometime this week, donated by the European Commission and Bavarian Nordic. But that is just a first step; the road from securing a quarter of a million vaccines to getting millions more delivered in the field is very long. Mpox is a relatively slow-spreading virus, but so far it is outpacing our will to fight it.
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5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
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Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
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