Breaking Barriers: Ensuring Equitable Access to Mpox Vaccines

In August 2024, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). The viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus is endemic in certain parts of Central and West Africa. It is crucial to have access to mpox vaccines in the most affected countries during the ongoing outbreak. Effective surveillance systems and regulatory pathways should be established for equitable access to the mpox vaccines. Collaborative efforts between governments, healthcare organizations, and policy makers are necessary to create programs that prioritize those at highest risk and work toward global health equity. According to the FIP policy statement, pharmacists play a vital role in ensuring access to essential medicines, but a significant disparity in the number of pharmacists and pharmacies, their roles, and the structure of healthcare systems between low- and high-income countries represent challenges that need to be tackled through targeted initiatives. Pharmacist can inform the governments and health care professionals on the barriers to access to medicines and vaccines. While ensuring equitable access, they can address the solutions for the barriers such as affordability, geographic distribution, and public awareness. This webinar aims to champion equitable vaccine distribution, educate participants on actionable strategies to address barriers to access. It highlights the critical role of pharmacists in public health advocacy and community support.

Chair:

- Lars-Åke Söderlund, FIP Vice President, International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), Sweden

Panellists:

- Sham Moodley, Pharmacist, Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa (PSSA), Independent Community Pharmacy Assoc (ICPA), Research Fellow (UK), South Africa

- Maria D Allinson, Head of Pharmacy Practice, Sheffield University, UK

- Philippe Mukumbayi, Assistant Lecturer, University of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo