Africa in 'advanced' discussions to buy monkeypox vaccines

The two-dose vaccine is considered the main medical weapon against the disease, but its availability is limited. [iStockphoto]

Africa's public health agency says the continent of 1.3 billion people still does not have a single dose of the monkeypox vaccine, but "very advanced discussions" are underway with at least two partners.

The acting director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ahmed Ogwell, told journalists yesterday that he could not give details, but he said the partners are "largely multilateral institutions and non-African governments." There are no discussions with the private sector because all available doses have already been bought by countries, he said.