African CDC Reminds No Vaccine Stockpiling Amid Monkeypox Outbreak

JAKARTA - The acting director of Africa's public health agency said he hoped the stockpile of vaccines, as seen by rich countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, would not be repeated with the current monkeypox outbreak.

Monkeypox, a viral infection that is usually mild, is endemic in African countries such as Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria.

In recent times, smallpox has caused global alarm after more than 200 suspected and confirmed cases of the virus were detected in at least 19 countries since early May, mostly in Europe. No deaths have been reported so far.

"Vaccines have to be delivered to where they are needed most and evenly distributed, so it's based on risk, and not on who can buy it," Ahmed Ogwell Ouma of the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told a news conference.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has in the past warned rich countries against stockpiling COVID-19 vaccines, as it threatens supplies to poor countries where inoculation rates are low.

Ogwell Ouma's comments came a day after South African disease experts said they did not think there was a need for a global mass vaccination campaign against monkeypox. And, vaccines should be prioritized for other deadly infections.

Africa has used the smallpox vaccine to manage monkeypox outbreaks in the past, he said, urging the general public to avoid seeking the vaccine and depleting supplies for those most at risk.

"The priority is first the health workers who are on the front lines, and then the affected communities where the outbreak was first flagged, before considering the general public," Ogwell Oumasid said.

"We know how to deal with it and we are happy to share the knowledge, experience and skills we have built over time with countries now experiencing monkeypox."

While launching DW, the WHO assessed human smallpox vaccine was also effective against monkeypox. The two species are related but human smallpox is much more dangerous.