The United States government has donated 10,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine to Nigeria, bolstering the country’s efforts to combat mpox, a rare but serious zoonotic viral disease.
According to The PUNCH, the handover ceremony took place in Abuja on Tuesday, where the vaccine was officially presented to Nigerian officials.
Jynneos, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is designed to prevent both smallpox and mpox in adults aged 18 and older who are considered at risk for mpox infection.
During the ceremony, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, expressed gratitude for the donation and reaffirmed the Nigerian government’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of its citizens.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom, Pate remarked, “This donation reflects a long-standing spirit of cooperation and collaboration, and the vaccine will greatly aid our efforts. The Federal Ministry of Health is dedicated to implementing policies and fostering partnerships that promote the health of our citizens.”
He added, “The Minister underscores the importance of every health matter, and with Dr. Tunji Alausa as the Minister of State for Health, we are making significant strides in transforming the health sector.
“We appreciate the 10,000 doses and hope for more in the future. We are also grateful to our development partners, including USAID, PEPFAR, WHO, UNICEF, and other UN agencies, for their continued collaboration, which is vital in supporting those in need.”
Pate stressed the importance of addressing all public health threats given Nigeria’s large population. “It is essential that we tackle every disease that poses a public health concern, particularly in a country of our size,” he said.
Mpox, primarily found in remote areas of Central and West Africa, is caused by the mpox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family.
This genus also includes the variola virus (which causes smallpox), the vaccinia virus (used in smallpox eradication vaccines), and the cowpox virus. Since the eradication of smallpox, mpox has emerged as the most significant Orthopoxvirus threat.
The donation comes in response to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s declaration on August 13, 2024, of mpox as a public health emergency of continental concern.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported 40 confirmed cases of mpox out of 830 suspected cases across the country as of last Friday.
The U.S. donation is expected to enhance Nigeria’s public health response and provide critical protection to those at risk of mpox infection.
