Nigeria has received its first mpox vaccines, a 10,000-dose shipment from the United States, as part of efforts to combat a rise in cases across Africa. The Democratic Republic of Congo and East African countries have reported the majority of infections.
The Jynneos vaccine batch will bolster Nigeria’s fight against mpox, with 40 confirmed cases and 830 suspected cases spread across 13 states.
This shipment comes after the World Health Organisation classified mpox, previously known as monkeypox, as a global health threat.
U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills noted that Nigeria was selected for the first batch due to its readiness to implement a vaccination plan.
“Nigeria’s government has put together a comprehensive vaccination plan to ensure effective use of the 10,000 vaccine doses,” he said.
In recent months, the spread of mpox, a zoonotic disease transmitted from animals to humans, has been widespread across African nations. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported 22,863 cases, with 3,641 confirmed and over 620 deaths across 13 AU member states.
Muyi Aina, Nigeria’s primary health care director, announced that states with the highest number of cases, mostly in the south, will be prioritised for vaccine distribution. “We will work closely with the states to ensure the vaccine is deployed effectively,” Aina explained.
Though vaccine distribution is imminent, WHO’s Nigeria representative, Walter Mulombo, acknowledged that public vaccine hesitancy remains an issue.
“This vaccine has been proven effective against smallpox and shows promise with mpox. We should rely on science, not misinformation,” Mulombo said.
Amid the spread of mpox across Central and West Africa, international support is growing. Germany plans to donate 100,000 vaccine doses to East Africa, particularly to aid Burundi and Kenya, which have been severely impacted by the outbreak.
Nigeria remains committed to securing additional vaccines, despite global shortages and delivery challenges.
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