The National Primary Health Care Development Agency has announced that Bayelsa and Rivers states will pioneer the Mpox vaccination exercise to curb the virus’s spread.
This decision prioritizes these states due to their recent case numbers and vulnerable populations. Five other states will follow.
The US government donated 10,000 Mpox vaccine doses to Nigeria through USAID on August 27. Remi Adeleke, NPHCDA’s Public Relations Head, stated the agency is taking proactive measures.
Nigeria reported over 530 suspected and 220 confirmed Mpox cases between January and August 2022. The World Health Organization supports Nigerian authorities in implementing priority actions.
“The date for vaccine deployment based on the current chronogram is from October 3 to 6, 2024, time to align with the three to six weeks period from vaccine receipt on August 27 for NAFDAC to conclude the regulatory procedures of sampling, traceability and lab analysis.
“The tentative implementation date is October 8, 2024.
“Due to limited available doses (9,980) of the Jynneos MPox vaccine, the quantities will be slit evenly (1,996 doses) across the five states for implementation. Specific states for implementation are being evaluated based on the current trend of cases in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.”
The Director of Logistics and Health Commodities at the NPHCDA, Hauwa Tense, told our correspondent on Monday that the agency was liaising with all planned implementing states virtually and for the two initial roll out states (Bayelsa and Rivers).
“Physical engagement has been conducted from the 1st to the 5th of September, 2024, to provide an orientation to all key stakeholders and assess each state’s readiness to commence vaccination.
“The Mpox vaccine is expected to be deployed to seven states – Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Benue, and the Federal Capital Territory. Please note that Bayelsa and River states will commence the vaccination exercise first.
“An average of 631 persons are expected to be vaccinated across the seven states with two doses of the Mpox vaccine. A buffer for 50 persons will be kept at the national in case of an upsurge in other states.”
Nigeria has seen a significant number of Mpox cases, with 84 confirmed out of 1,237 suspected cases as of September 29. These cases are spread across 57 local government areas in 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
