Nigeria Launches Delayed Mpox Vaccination Programme

Targeted Vaccination Begins in Abuja

Nigeria has commenced its mpox vaccination programme, prioritizing health workers and immunocompromised individuals in Abuja. The initiative began on Monday at the Federal Medical Centre, where 30 people received the vaccine as part of the initial rollout.

The programme, delayed by over a month, follows Nigeria’s receipt of 10,000 vaccine doses in August from the United States. This shipment was part of a global response after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a public health emergency for the second time in two years.

Focus on At-Risk Groups

According to Hafsat Abdullazeez of the Institute of Human Virology, the vaccination effort is not aimed at mass immunization but is a “targeted ringed vaccination” strategy. It focuses on:

• Healthcare workers: Due to their high exposure risk.
• Immunocompromised persons: Particularly individuals living with HIV.

The programme will span 10 days and include Abuja and seven other states, such as Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Rivers, which have reported notable case numbers.

Mpox Situation in Nigeria

Mpox, endemic to Nigeria and other African nations, has seen 94 confirmed cases in 2023 without any reported deaths. The vaccination campaign aims to mitigate the spread among vulnerable populations.

Globally, the WHO allocated 899,000 vaccine doses for nine African countries most affected by the surge. Nigeria’s campaign is a crucial step in addressing the mpox threat, leveraging its portion of the vaccines to protect healthcare systems and at-risk communities.

Global and Local Implications

Hardley Ikwe from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control emphasized the importance of the vaccination effort, highlighting its role in reducing mpox cases and safeguarding critical health personnel.

As Nigeria progresses with this initiative, the focus remains on ensuring effective distribution and fostering awareness to combat endemic diseases like mpox in the region.