NIGERIA— Nigeria has received 10,000 doses of the Mpox vaccine from the U.S. government through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Nigeria becomes the first African nation to receive these vaccines which are  specifically designed to combat the new strain of the Mpox virus.

This delivery  comes a few weeks after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

Following this declaration, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, has been actively working with international partners to ensure that there is equitable vaccine access in response to this global health threat.

In this donation, the United States  will be providing  the Jynneos (MVA) vaccine, which will be distributed across five Nigerian states—Bayelsa, Edo, Cross River, Lagos, and Rivers—where the majority of Mpox cases have been reported.

The Jynneos vaccine is administered as a two-dose primary series for individuals who have never received a Mpox vaccine, and as a single booster dose for those who have previously been vaccinated against Mpox.

The vaccines will be prioritised for those most at risk, including close contacts of confirmed mpox cases and frontline healthcare workers. Additionally, provisions have been made for reactive vaccination in other states should the need arise.

During the official handover of the vaccines to the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, expressed his satisfaction with the timely donation.

 He emphasized that the vaccines would reach the areas most affected by the outbreak and protect those most vulnerable to mpox infection.

 Ambassador Mills also encouraged the Nigerian government to continue mobilizing domestic resources to secure additional vaccines in the fight against Mpox.

When questioned about the safety of the Jynneos vaccine, Ambassador Mills assured the public that rigorous safety tests were conducted during clinical trials.

He noted that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) had reviewed these results before approving the vaccine for use in Nigeria.

For his part, Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Muhammad Ali Pate, expressed his gratitude for the initial donation of the mpox vaccine, noting that it is both safe and effective.

He pledged to continue strengthening surveillance efforts and remain vigilant in the fight against mpox.

In her remarks, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, commended Nigeria’s receipt of the vaccines as a crucial step in the ongoing efforts to halt the spread of the virus and protect public health.

She highlighted this initiative as a clear demonstration of international solidarity in the face of global health emergencies.

In the past,The WHO’s regional office for Africa has emphasized that there is significant gaps in mpox vaccine access across the continent.

To resolve this, the organisation is actively collaborating with countries and manufacturers to increase vaccine availability.

 This includes partnerships with organizations such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to facilitate donations from countries with existing stockpiles and the development of a donation scheme to ensure that limited vaccine supplies reach the areas where they are most needed.

To eradicate this growing threat,  the WHO’s Africa office  has been supporting the Nigerian government in improving surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory capacity, risk communication, and community engagement.

As of August 10, 2024, Nigeria has recorded 786 suspected Mpox cases and 39 confirmed cases.

On the part, in addition to the vaccine donation,  USAID  has reaffirmed its commitment to  continue providing technical support to Nigeria to enhance its prevention, preparedness, detection, and response efforts to infectious disease outbreaks.

The agency is also assisting with strengthening primary healthcare and routine immunization systems, as well as broader health, education, nutrition, governance systems, and the rule of law.

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