In a significant move to combat the Mpox outbreak in Africa, an initial 899,000 vaccine doses have been allocated to nine countries, including Nigeria. The vaccine distribution, announced by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on November 7, 2024, targets regions hardest hit by the current surge of Mpox.

This allocation is part of the Access and Allocation Mechanism (AAM) for Mpox, a collaborative effort among Africa CDC, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and other partners. The goal is to ensure the fair and effective use of limited vaccine supplies, aimed at controlling Mpox outbreaks across the continent.

The decision to distribute the vaccines was based on recommendations from the AAM’s independent Technical Review Committee, taking into account factors such as country readiness and epidemiological data. The nine countries receiving the vaccines are the Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) will receive the largest share of the vaccine allocation, with 85% of the doses dedicated to the country due to its status as the most affected by Mpox, accounting for four out of every five laboratory-confirmed cases in Africa this year.

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These vaccines come from multiple global sources, including Canada, the European Union, and the United States, alongside support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF. The vaccines will play a crucial role in reducing transmission, with vaccination being recommended as part of a broader strategy to contain the outbreaks, which also includes testing, diagnosis, and clinical care.

Earlier this year, 19 African countries reported Mpox cases, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo remaining the epicenter. As of now, over 38,000 suspected cases have been reported in the DRC, with more than 1,000 deaths.

While limited vaccination efforts have begun in the DRC and Rwanda, this new vaccine allocation represents a major step toward a targeted and coordinated response. The rollout of Mpox vaccines in these regions is expected to require additional resources, but further allocations are anticipated before the end of 2024.

The vaccine supply for the Mpox AAM includes over 5.85 million doses, contributed by various global partners, with further doses expected to become available soon. This collective effort reflects the urgent need to address the Mpox threat in Africa, aiming to stop the disease’s spread and prevent further fatalities.