Gavi’s First Response Fund (FRF) will make up to $40m available to enable accelerated access to investigational doses and, eventually, approved vaccines for the Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, it announced on 29 May.
The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, for which there are currently no licenced vaccines or therapeutics.
The global vaccine group has also pledged a further $10m to support outbreak response and the protection of routine immunisation services in impacted countries.
Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO, Gavi, said: “While we are some way off having a safe and effective vaccine against Bundibugyo virus, we need to act now to ensure that, once one or more vaccine candidates are ready, manufacturers are in a position to start producing doses at scale.”
Early investment for outbreak response
Approval of the $40m in immediate surge financing will enable manufacturers of the leading candidates of a Bundibugyo vaccine to directly commit to high-capacity manufacturing.
In turn, as soon as clinical trials demonstrate positive outcomes, investigational vaccine doses could be deployed rapidly to support outbreak response (in accordance with protocols, WHO guidance and approval from national authorities).
In coming weeks, Gavi will finalise the design of a financial mechanism that leverages the $40m FRF allocation to achieve vaccine access goals, in close partnership with CEPI, WHO, Africa CDC and UNICEF.
The $10m will be released immediately to support countries and partners with outbreak response.
It will support implementation of national response plans, including targeted investments to protect routine immunisation and healthcare workers and ensure readiness for future vaccines.
A broader push for a Bundibugyo vaccine
Gavi’s commitment comes as part of wider global pharmaceutical response and preparedness efforts.
Moderna, the University of Oxford and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative have collectively received $61.8m in emergency funding from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
This grant followed a global review of vaccines in development, alongside consultation with WHO, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Gavi, ANRS-MIE and affected countries.
Dr Nishtar continued: “Leveraging this allocation, Gavi will work closely with CEPI and partners to design the right incentives to achieve this goal, exploring all options including potential Advance Purchase Commitments.
“This effort, alongside ensuring emergency funds are on hand to support outbreak response and protect routine immunisation services in the communities impacted, is exactly what our First Response Fund was designed for.”
Featured image: rrudenkois on Adobe Stock
