Nigeria has commenced the immediate distribution of 5,000 doses of the mpox vaccine, prioritizing high-risk individuals such as health workers and residents in areas with high infection rates. The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency confirmed this as part of efforts to control the multi-country outbreak.

Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s Regional Director for Africa, welcomed the delivery of 10,000 doses to Nigeria by USAID, describing it as a sign of international solidarity in tackling global health crises.

Nigeria became the first African nation to receive the vaccine after reporting 40 cases of the disease, which causes fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a blistering rash.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the hardest-hit country, is expecting its first shipment of 65,000 doses on 1 September. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), announced that the US would provide 50,000 doses, with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, supplying the remaining 15,000.

Kaseya emphasized that the JYNNEOS vaccine, manufactured by Danish pharmaceutical company Bavarian Nordic, is key to stopping the spread of mpox. He noted that the vaccine had been successfully used in the US and Europe during the 2022 mpox outbreak, helping to halt its spread.