France leads global vaccine efforts amid rising mpox cases

Image Credits: UnsplashImage Credits: Unsplash
  • France is donating 100,000 doses of the mpox vaccine through the European Union to assist countries facing emergencies, emphasizing the need for global solidarity in health crises.
  • The United States is contributing 50,000 doses of the measles vaccine to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, aiming to curb the rising number of cases in Africa.
  • The emergence of the Clade 1b strain of mpox in Sweden has prompted European countries to reassess their health preparedness and strengthen surveillance systems.

As the French government prepares vaccination centers at home, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced on Tuesday that France will contribute one hundred thousand doses of the mpox vaccine to nations that are now experiencing the emergency.

In a related development, health experts have emphasized the importance of global cooperation in addressing the spread of mpox. They argue that sharing vaccine resources is crucial not only for immediate containment but also for long-term eradication efforts. France's initiative to donate vaccines through the European Union is seen as a significant step in fostering international solidarity and ensuring equitable access to medical resources.

When asked about the vaccines, Attal stated that France will donate them through the European Union.

There has been an increase in the number of cases of measles in Africa, which has been labeled a worldwide health emergency by the World Health Organization. The United States of America has announced that it will provide 50,000 doses of measles vaccine to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The resurgence of measles in Africa has raised alarms among public health officials, who are concerned about the potential for widespread outbreaks. Measles, a highly contagious viral disease, poses a significant threat to children and unvaccinated populations. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, grappling with its own health challenges, welcomes the support from the United States, which aims to bolster the country's vaccination efforts and prevent further spread of the disease.

A vaccination campaign should be a top priority for countries that are afflicted by the disease, according to the United Nations Health Organization, which has urged for a significant increase in the manufacture of vaccines.

The African Union's health office announced last week that some 200,000 vaccines would be distributed across the continent as a result of agreements with the European Union and the Danish pharmaceutical company Bavarian Nordic, whose vaccine was authorized in 2019.

Bavarian Nordic's vaccine, known for its efficacy against mpox, has been a critical tool in the fight against the virus. The collaboration between the African Union, the European Union, and Bavarian Nordic highlights the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing global health crises. These partnerships not only facilitate the distribution of vaccines but also support research and development efforts to improve vaccine technology and accessibility.

In the event that there is an outbreak in France in the future, Attal has announced on the social media platform X that there are approximately 232 vaccine locations in place.

According to him, our goal is to be prepared to deal with any and all hazards and eventualities.

At this time, there have been no instances of mpox documented in France. A case of the more deadly Clade 1b strain of mpox was reported to have been registered by the Swedish Public Health Agency at the end of the previous week.

The emergence of the Clade 1b strain in Sweden has prompted European health agencies to reassess their preparedness levels. This strain, known for its higher mortality rate, underscores the need for vigilance and rapid response mechanisms. Countries across Europe are reviewing their health protocols and strengthening surveillance systems to detect and contain any potential outbreaks swiftly.

The patient had been infected while traveling to a country in Africa that was ravaged by the disease, despite the fact that this was the first instance to occur in Europe.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the virus has spread throughout the country, resulting in the deaths of more than 570 people so far in 2018.

During the month of July, outbreaks have been reported in the countries of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.


Economy Malaysia
Image Credits: Unsplash
EconomyAugust 3, 2025 at 6:30:00 PM

Muslim-friendly travel platform revamped offerings with enticing new packages

Travel is changing—not just in where people go, but in how they move, what they value, and how they choose to experience the...

Economy World
Image Credits: Unsplash
EconomyAugust 1, 2025 at 3:00:00 PM

Asia must harness AI for natural disaster management

Wednesday’s tsunami warnings triggered by a deep-sea earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula were not just seismological events. They were institutional ones. As alerts...

Economy World
Image Credits: Unsplash
EconomyAugust 1, 2025 at 1:00:00 PM

What it will take for Hong Kong to lead in shipping again

The Development Bureau’s proposal to reclaim 301 hectares—145 near Lung Kwu Tan and 45 in Tuen Mun West—for a “smart and green industrial...

Economy World
Image Credits: Unsplash
EconomyAugust 1, 2025 at 1:00:00 PM

Taiwan welcomes reduced 20% US tariff—but faces growing pressure to offer deeper concessions

Taiwan has just been handed a partial reprieve: the United States will impose a 20% tariff on its exports instead of the previously...

Economy Singapore
Image Credits: Unsplash
EconomyAugust 1, 2025 at 1:00:00 PM

Singapore stock market sell-off reveals deeper crisis of confidence

While headlines focused on the 1.1 percent drop in the Straits Times Index (STI) on July 31, a closer reading of the market...

Economy Singapore
Image Credits: Unsplash
EconomyAugust 1, 2025 at 1:00:00 PM

Trump adjusts reciprocal tariffs ahead of deadline; Singapore expected to retain 10% rate

President Donald Trump’s 2025 tariff overhaul is not a symbolic gesture. It’s a structural realignment that reintroduces trade friction as a core feature...

Economy World
Image Credits: Unsplash
EconomyAugust 1, 2025 at 11:30:00 AM

U.S. expands tariff hikes to dozens of countries

While headlines often zoom in on US–China friction, the more consequential pivot may be Washington’s decision to raise tariffs across a wider swath...

Economy World
Image Credits: Unsplash
EconomyAugust 1, 2025 at 11:30:00 AM

Hong Kong stocks head for first weekly decline in a month amid China growth concerns

Hong Kong stocks just broke their three-week winning streak. On the surface, it’s a mild pullback: the Hang Seng dipped 2.4% for the...

Economy World
Image Credits: Unsplash
EconomyAugust 1, 2025 at 10:30:00 AM

China manufacturing PMI decline signals deeper export strain

China’s June manufacturing PMI dipped to 49.6, slipping below the neutral 50-point mark and snapping a three-month streak of marginal growth. On its...

Economy World
Image Credits: Unsplash
EconomyAugust 1, 2025 at 10:30:00 AM

Oil rises slightly on geopolitical tensions and supply concerns

Oil prices rose modestly this week, but the implications run deeper than market headlines suggest. Brent crude moved past the $84 threshold, with...

Economy World
Image Credits: Unsplash
EconomyJuly 31, 2025 at 12:00:00 PM

What the end of the US-China tariff pause really signals

On August 1, the United States’ pause on so-called “reciprocal tariffs” targeting Chinese imports is scheduled to expire. For Beijing, a short extension...

Economy Malaysia
Image Credits: Unsplash
EconomyJuly 31, 2025 at 11:30:00 AM

US-Malaysia tariff agreement likely following Trump-Anwar call ahead of Aug 1 deadline

Washington’s proposed reduction of a 25% import tariff on Malaysian goods—floated just hours after a call between President Trump and Prime Minister Anwar...

Load More