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The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the monkeypox outbreak an “emergency of international concern.”

The big picture

The outbreak has already spread to more than 70 countries with 16,000 reported cases and 5 deaths. The outbreak seems to be shared among gay men.

Deaths have only been reported in East Africa–Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, where a dangerous version of the virus is spreading

The international health organization hopes that the decision to categorize it as a global health emergency will ensure the world takes the outbreak seriously.

Why it matters

Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus said it requires a coordinated international response to collaborate on vaccines and treatments.

Director of the WHO Center on Global Health Law, Lawrence Gostin said there should be widespread testing and deployment of vaccines to “nip this in the bud.”

“The window for containment is rapidly closing and we fear that this could become endemic in Europe, North America and other parts of the world over the next months,” Gostin said.

As the world fights to develop and mass-produce an effective vaccine against the coronavirus, the Bahamas is seeking to secure enough vaccine to help fight the virus in the country.

Like many governments around the world, the Bahamas’ government is hoping the vaccine will assist in returning daily life to normalcy.

What is the status of the COVID-19 vaccine for the Bahamas?

Health Minister Renward Wells announced that the Cabinet of the Bahamas has approved vaccination for 20 percent of the population through the World Health Organisation via the Pan American Health Organisation.

Wells said the Bahamas will make a down payment of $2 million to ensure 80,000 people including front line workers and the country’s most vulnerable, are vaccinated.

The country is expected to receive the vaccines in the first phase of the distribution, he said.

Wells said all countries are required to make a down payment on the vaccines.

How does a vaccine work?

According to the WHO, vaccines save millions of lives each year, and work to prepare the immune system to recognize and fight off the virus.

If the body is exposed to the virus, the body is immediately ready to destroy them, preventing illness, the WHO says.

Vaccines have been used to prevent numerous life-threatening diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, influenza and measles.

WHO says currently there are over 169 COVID-19 vaccine candidates under development, with 26 of these in the human trial phase.

The health organization says it is working with scientists, business, and global health organizations to speed up the pandemic response.

When a safe and effective vaccine is found, WHO says it will facilitate the equitable access and distribution of these vaccines to protect people in all countries. People most at risk will be prioritized.