U.S. Donates 10,000 Mpox Vaccine Doses to Nigeria Amidst Ongoing Outbreak

By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

On Tuesday, the United States government, through the

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), donated 10,000 doses of the mpox vaccine to Nigeria. This donation is part of ongoing efforts to support Nigeria in addressing the current mpox outbreak.

Mpox, previously known as Monkeypox, is an infectious viral disease that affects both humans and animals. It spreads primarily through close contact, including sexual interactions. Vaccination is the key preventive measure against mpox, especially for individuals aged 18 and older who are at high risk of infection.

The donated vaccine consists of a two-dose primary series for individuals who have never received the smallpox vaccine, and a single booster dose for those previously vaccinated against smallpox.

During the handover ceremony at the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills emphasized the importance of the donation, stating that it would provide timely protection to those in affected areas and vulnerable populations across Nigeria.

"We are pleased to know that this is a timely donation that will reach the affected areas across the country and those who are most vulnerable to mpox infection," said Ambassador Mills. He also urged the Nigerian government to continue mobilizing domestic resources to secure more vaccines to combat mpox.

The Nigerian government has identified five states—Bayelsa, Edo, Cross-River, Lagos, and Rivers—with the highest incidence of mpox cases. The vaccines will be distributed to those most at risk, including close contacts of mpox cases and frontline healthcare workers, with provisions for reactive vaccination in other states as needed.

When asked about the safety of the vaccine, Ambassador Mills reassured the public: "Yes, the vaccine is safe. Safety tests have been conducted during clinical trials, and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has reviewed these results before granting approval for the use of the vaccines in Nigeria."

USAID will continue to provide technical support and collaborate with the Nigerian government to enhance the country's prevention, preparedness, detection, response, and resilience to infectious disease outbreaks. Additionally, USAID is assisting Nigeria in strengthening its primary healthcare and routine immunization systems, alongside broader efforts to improve health, education, nutrition, governance, and the rule of law.

At the presentation ceremony, which took place at the NPHCDA headquarters, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, represented by Permanent Secretary Mrs. Kachollom Daju, expressed gratitude for the U.S. government's support. He assured that the vaccines would be promptly deployed for use.

“This collaboration reflects years of cooperation, and these vaccines will be of great help to us. The Federal Ministry of Health is committed to ensuring the health of our citizens, and this donation is a significant step in that direction,” Prof. Pate said. He also extended thanks to other development partners, including USAID, PEPFAR, WHO, UNICEF, and various UN organizations, for their continued support.

Mpox is a rare viral zoonotic disease, meaning it is transmitted from animals to humans. It primarily occurs in remote villages of Central and West Africa, near tropical rainforests. The disease is caused by the mpox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family, which also includes the variola virus (the cause of smallpox), the vaccinia virus (used in the smallpox eradication vaccine), and the cowpox virus (used in earlier smallpox vaccines). Since the eradication of smallpox, the mpox virus has emerged as the most significant Orthopoxvirus.