By Muhammad Amaan
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has announced that Bayelsa and Rivers states will be the first to initiate Mpox vaccination exercise aimed at curbing the spread of the virus.
The NPHCDA, however, said five other states had been slated to follow suit.
The decision to prioritise Bayelsa and Rivers states stems from their recent case numbers and the need to protect vulnerable populations.
On August 27, the United States government, through the United States Agency for International Development donated 10,000 doses of the Mpox vaccine to the Federal Government to support its efforts in responding to the current mpox outbreak.
The Head of the Public Relations Unit at the NPHCDA, Remi Adeleke, had in August said, “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 split 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.”
Data obtained from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention showed that as of September 29, Nigeria had recorded a total of 84 confirmed cases of Mpox out of 1,237 suspected cases across 57 local government areas in 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
