Nigeria has received its first shipment of Mpox vaccines, with 10,000 doses donated by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
This delivery marks the beginning of Nigeria’s vaccination effort against Mpox, which has thus far reported 40 cases with no fatalities.
Muyi Aina, executive director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), described the donation as a “critical step” for the country.
“We know the vaccine supply is limited globally, with Nigeria receiving 10,000 of the approximately 200,000 doses available worldwide,” Aina noted in a statement.
The Nigerian government plans to distribute these vaccines to five priority states: Bayelsa, Edo, Cross River, Lagos, and another location yet to be confirmed, according to USAID.
The NPHCDA has not yet specified the distribution timeline or the criteria for prioritizing recipients.
U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills, during the vaccine handover ceremony, encouraged Nigeria to continue seeking additional resources to address the Mpox outbreak.
“We urge the Government of Nigeria to keep mobilizing domestic resources to secure more vaccines,” Mills said.
In Kenya, a new case of Mpox has been confirmed, bringing the total to three.
The latest patient, a 30-year-old woman from Nairobi who recently traveled to Uganda, is currently stable and receiving treatment in isolation.
Dr. Patrick Amoth, Director General for Health, reported that the patient’s condition is being closely monitored.
Kenya has tested 89 samples for Mpox to date, with 79 coming back negative and seven still pending results.
Dr. Amoth assured the public that the Ministry of Health is actively managing the situation, including enhanced surveillance and screening at major entry points.
“Our healthcare system is well-prepared to handle Mpox, and there is no need for panic,” Dr. Amoth emphasized.
The Ministry remains committed to safeguarding public health and continuing its response efforts.
