Uganda's New Vaccine Doses

KAMPALA, March 31 — In a significant boost to Uganda's fight against mpox, the country has received an additional 100,000 doses of the mpox vaccine from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). This new supply aims to support the upcoming phase of the national vaccination campaign, focusing on curbing the rapid transmission of the virus.

Targeted Distribution of Vaccines

Henry Kyobe Bosa, the incident commander at Uganda’s Ministry of Health, announced that these vaccines will be distributed primarily to areas experiencing the highest transmission rates. The next vaccination phase will prioritize young adults aged 25 to 35, a demographic that has shown increased vulnerability to the disease.

Areas of Focus

The Ministry of Health has identified specific locations for this targeted campaign, which will concentrate on high-risk areas within the capital, Kampala, notably in Rubaga, Nakawa, and Central divisions. Additionally, vital districts in central Uganda including Mukono, Wakiso, Buvuma, Nakasongola, and Masaka will also be covered, as well as regions in western Uganda such as Mbarara and Hoima.

Previous Vaccination Efforts

This new phase follows Uganda's initial vaccination efforts launched in February, during which 10,000 individuals from high-risk populations—including commercial sex workers, bar attendants, taxi drivers, and roadside vendors—were successfully vaccinated in the Kawempe and Makindye divisions of Kampala.

Outbreak Challenges

The urgency of the vaccination campaign is underscored by the fact that Uganda confirmed its mpox outbreak in August 2022. Since then, the country has reported an alarming total of 4,810 laboratory-confirmed cases and 37 fatalities. The majority of those who succumbed to the virus had existing health issues, including HIV/AIDS, malnutrition, and diabetes.

Global Attention on Uganda's Situation

The situation has drawn the attention of the World Health Organization (WHO), which recently declared that Uganda is currently facing the highest incidence of community-transmitted mpox cases globally. The organization highlighted the steady increase in national case counts, prompting Ugandan health authorities to enhance their surveillance and public awareness campaigns as part of a comprehensive strategy to contain the virus.

Understanding Mpox

Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It is primarily transmitted through close contact and can manifest symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, muscle aches, skin rash, and back pain.

Conclusion

As Uganda continues its efforts to combat mpox, the newly available vaccines represent a critical tool in protecting vulnerable populations and curtailing the spread of this infectious disease. Stay tuned for updates as this situation develops!