The United States government has donated 10,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine to Nigeria, bolstering the country’s efforts to prevent the spread of mpox. The official handover took place on Tuesday in Abuja, with high-level officials from both nations present to mark the occasion.
Jynneos, a vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is designed for the prevention of smallpox and mpox in adults aged 18 and older who are at risk of mpox infection. The donation comes at a critical time, as Nigeria continues to grapple with sporadic outbreaks of mpox, a rare viral disease that has raised public health concerns across the continent.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, expressed gratitude to the U.S. government for its support. Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom, Pate highlighted the significance of the donation in Nigeria’s ongoing public health initiatives.
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“This is a spirit of cooperation and collaboration through the years, and this vaccine will be of great help to us,” Pate said. “The Federal Ministry of Health understands the importance of having a healthy nation, so all the policies that we implement and the collaborations are focused on ensuring our citizens’ health.”
Pate emphasized the commitment of the Federal Government to improving the well-being of Nigerians, acknowledging the role of development partners such as USAID, PEPFAR, WHO, UNICEF, and other UN organizations. “Your collaboration is greatly appreciated, and this will significantly aid those in need,” he added.
Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Health, was also praised for his dedication to transforming Nigeria’s health sector alongside Prof. Pate. The ministers’ leadership is seen as pivotal in addressing public health concerns in the country, especially in light of Nigeria’s large population and the emerging threats posed by diseases like mpox.
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Mpox, caused by the mpox virus, is a zoonotic infectious disease that primarily occurs in remote villages of Central and West Africa. The virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae, has gained prominence following the eradication of smallpox, becoming the most significant Orthopoxvirus of concern.
On August 13, 2024, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared mpox a public health emergency of continental security, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated efforts to tackle the disease. As of last Friday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported a total of 40 confirmed cases of mpox out of 830 suspected cases across the country.
The donation of the Jynneos vaccine is expected to enhance Nigeria’s capacity to respond to the ongoing outbreak, providing much-needed protection to those at risk.