Nigeria becomes first African country to receive mpox vaccines — WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says Nigeria is the first country in Africa to receive mpox vaccines, aimed at combating the spread of the new strain of mpox virus.

WHO, in statement, said Nigeria received 10,000 doses of the Jynneos (MVA) vaccine from the United States of America. Nigerian authorities have reportedly prioritized five states (Bayelsa, Edo, Cross-River, Lagos, and Rivers) with the highest burden of mpox cases. Mpox cases have been confirmed in more than 10 of Nigeria’s 36 states.

“We are pleased to receive this modest initial donation of the mpox vaccine, which is safe and efficacious,” Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Muhammad Ali Pate, said. “We will continue to strengthen surveillance and be vigilant to prevent and control mpox.”

The ceremonial signing in Abuja on Tuesday, August 27, came one week after the World Health Organisation declared the rise of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, a global health emergency. “Today’s handover ceremony symbolizes more than a transfer of vaccines, it exemplifies the power of international cooperation in addressing global health challenges and local health challenges,” Dr. Muyi Aina, Executive Director and CEO of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency said. “We’re aware that this vaccine is not exactly in surplus supply. I believe we are getting 10,000 of the about 200,000 doses that are available globally.”

The MVA vaccine will be given to 5,000 people most at risk of the virus in a two-dose schedule. This includes “close contacts of mpox cases and frontline healthcare workers, with a provision for reactive vaccination in other states as the need arises,” according to WHO’s regional office for Africa.

The US envoy to Nigeria explained why Nigeria received the first delivery. “Nigeria government has put together a vaccination plan.
So, there’s a plan on how to use these vaccines effectively, how to make sure we get the most effect out of this 10,000 vaccine donation. So that’s very much why Nigeria was chosen to receive this first batch. We will continue to work with Nigeria on efforts to stop the spread of the monkeypox illness.”

According to the WHO, most people with mpox will recover within
2-4 weeks. The goal of treating mpox is to take care of the rash, manage p+in and prevent complications.