Nigeria Receives 10,000 Mpox Vaccines, First African Country to Access New Strain of Virus

Nigeria has become the first African country to receive mpox vaccines, with the arrival of 10,000 doses on Tuesday. The vaccines, donated by the United States government, are aimed at combating the spread of the new strain of mpox virus, which was declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO) on August 14, 2024.

The Jynneos (MVA) vaccine will be administered 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 needed. Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has approved the vaccine’s emergency use.

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

The delivery of the mpox vaccines to Nigeria is a crucial addition to the ongoing measures to halt the virus and protect health, and it also demonstrates international solidarity in the face of global public health emergencies, according to Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director of Africa.

However, WHO’s Africa office has highlighted "serious gaps in mpox vaccine access" remaining in Africa. The organization is working with countries and manufacturers to increase access to the needed vaccines and is collaborating with partners, including the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), to enable donations from countries with existing stockpiles. A donation scheme is also being developed to ensure the limited vaccines are used in areas where they are most needed.

In Nigeria, the government is working with WHO to improve surveillance and contact tracing, laboratory capacity, risk communication, and community engagement. The country has reported 786 suspected mpox cases and 39 confirmed cases as of August 10, 2024. Health officials are also implementing early case detection and diagnostics, as well as increasing cross-border surveillance, notably at main points of entry throughout the country.