WHO and Africa CDC Mobilize Support for Mpox Vaccination Plans Across 17 African Nations

In a significant development to combat the mpox outbreak, experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) convened in Brazzaville, Congo, earlier this week. The goal of this pivotal meeting was to offer robust guidance to 17 African countries, as they aim to devise comprehensive vaccination preparedness and deployment strategies tailored to the unique epidemiological profiles of their respective regions.

As African nations brace for an influx of mpox vaccine deliveries in the upcoming months, there has been a pressing need for support in pinpointing and mapping hotspots to effectively target at-risk populations for vaccination. Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the Regional Director for Africa at WHO, emphasized the urgency of developing effective mpox vaccine strategies, given the ongoing challenges in controlling the outbreak through traditional public health measures.

Participants included representatives from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among others, totaling over 120 attendees from various countries. This collaborative effort aimed to share the latest WHO recommendations and equip countries with essential tools necessary for creating impactful mpox vaccination plans.

Despite constraints in vaccine supply, notable progress has been made: Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nigeria have recently received a total of 280,000 vaccine doses, kickstarting initial vaccination efforts, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, where more than 50,000 doses have already been administered. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, praised the swift actions taken by these nations, underscoring the commitment to safeguard vulnerable populations and halt the spread of the virus.

Meanwhile, mpox cases continue to rise not only in Africa but also in regions outside the continent. As of November 6, over 11,000 laboratory-confirmed mpox cases have been reported since the start of 2024, prompting WHO and Africa CDC to take decisive action. While four countries—South Africa, Guinea, Cameroon, and Gabon—have successfully moved to a ‘controlled phase’ after six weeks without new reported cases, fourteen other countries are currently grappling with active outbreaks.

The meeting specifically targeted support for countries such as Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Uganda, reflecting a pan-African commitment to combat the mpox threat collaboratively. WHO and Africa CDC are not only prioritizing vaccinations but are also focusing on diagnostics, case management, risk communication, and community engagement as vital components of their strategy.

As this initiative unfolds, the collaboration between local governments and international partners indicates a strong and united front against mpox, a thriving model of global health security that is crucial now more than ever. The stakes are high, and the commitment to protect vulnerable populations demonstrates an unprecedented resilience in facing health crises on the continent.

Stay tuned for more updates on the mpox vaccination rollout and the ongoing battle against this outbreak in Africa!