Mpox Vaccine Arrives In Africa, Nigeria Becomes The First Vaccine Recipient Country

ILLUSTRATION OF UNSPLASH/Mathurin NAPOLY/matnapo

JAKARTA - The World Health Organization (WHO) welcomes the arrival of the firstmpox vaccine in Africa as an example of international solidarity in the face of a global public health emergency.

Nigeria became the first African country to receive 10,000 doses of thempox vaccine on Tuesday to respond to an outbreak of the virus disease that has hit several countries.

The vaccine, Jynneos (MVA), produced by the Bavarian Nordic pharmaceutical company, was donated by the United States (US) government.

"The arrival of thempox vaccine in Nigeria is an important addition to the steps being taken to stop the virus and protect health," said Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Wednesday, August 28. "The arrival of this vaccine is also a clear example of international solidarity. We thank the US government for its sincere support," Moeti added.

WHO has declaredmpox a public health emergency of international concern.

Nigerian health officials said vaccines would be distributed to five states with the highest burden ofmpox cases.

As of August 10, 2024, the country reported 786 suspected cases, 39 confirmed cases, but so far there have been no casualties this year.

Twelve countries in African territory have recorded cases, according to the WHO, with more than 15,000 suspected cases.

Democratic Republic of the Congo, the epicenter of the outbreak, Burundi, and other East African countries are awaiting a vaccine, according to the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The first batch of vaccine doses promised to the Democratic Republic of Congo will arrive on September 1 after delays due to emergency documentation and authorization issues, Jean Kaseya, head of the CDC Africa, told a news conference on Tuesday.

Western partners, including the European Union and the US, have pledged about 380,000 doses of thempox vaccine, according to the African CDC.