Nigeria received this Tuesday 10,000 doses of MPOX vaccinesbecoming the first country in Africa to obtain immunizations to combat the spread of the new strain of that virus.
On August 14, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the increase in mpox a public health emergency of international concern.
Following the announcement, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he was working with partners to facilitate equitable access to vaccines.
The US government has donated the Jynneos vaccine to Nigeria, which plans to distribute it in five of the country’s states where the highest number of MPOX cases have been detected.
“We are pleased to receive this initial donation from the mpox vaccine, which is safe and effective“We will continue to strengthen surveillance and remain vigilant in preventing and controlling the disease,” said Nigeria’s Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate.
Two-dose regimen
The MVA vaccine It will be administered in a two-dose regimen to 5,000 people at higher risk of contracting the virus This includes “close contacts of MPOX cases and frontline health workers, with a standby to respond in other states as the need arises,” the WHO regional office for Africa said.
While waiting for the vaccines to be applied, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control of Nigeria has approved the emergency use of the vaccine.
“The delivery of mpox vaccines to Nigeria is a crucial contribution to ongoing measures to stop the virus and protect health“It is also a clear sign of international solidarity in the face of global public health emergencies,” said Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
Inequity in access to immunization
The WHO office in Africa warned that there are still ““Serious gaps in access to the mpox vaccine” in Africa.
The agency is working with the countries and manufacturers to increase access to the necessary vaccines.
In addition, WHO is collaborating with partners such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and others to “enable the Donations from countries that already have reserves”.
Partners are also developing a “donation scheme” to ensure that limited vaccines are used in areas where they are most needed.
Surveillance and tracking
The WHO office in Africa assists the Nigerian government to improve “the surveillance and contact tracing, laboratory capacityrisk communication and community engagement,” as the country has had 786 suspected cases of mpox and 39 confirmed cases as of August 10, 2024.
Health officials are also implementing the early detection and diagnosis cases, and have increased cross-border surveillance, particularly at major entry points into the country.
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