By Muhammad Amaan
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has donated 10,000 Jynneous vaccines to mitigate the spread of Mpox in Nigeria.
The vaccine is a two-dose primary series for use in persons who have never received smallpox vaccine and a single booster for individuals previously vaccinated with a smallpox vaccine.
Speaking at the handover to the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Ambassador Richard Mills, explained that the United States Government’s action was aimed at providing timely vaccine to the affected areas across the country and those who are most vulnerable to mpox infection.
“We are pleased to know that this is a timely donation that will reach the affected areas across the country and those who are most vulnerable to mpox infection.”
“We encourage the Government of Nigeria to continue to mobilize domestic resources to secure more vaccines to combat mpox,“ he said.
The Government of Nigeria has prioritized five states (Bayelsa, Edo, Cross-River, Lagos, and Rivers) with the highest burden of mpox cases.
The vaccines will be given to those most at risk of mpox including close contacts of mpox cases and frontline healthcare workers with a provision for reactive vaccination in other states as the need arises.
Ambassador Mills said: “Yes, the vaccine is safe. Safety tests have been conducted during clinical trials, and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control reviewed the results of these trials before granting approval for the use of the vaccines in Nigeria.”
According to him, USAID will continue to provide technical support and collaborate with the government of Nigeria to improve prevention, preparedness, detection, response, and resilience to infectious disease outbreaks.
“USAID is also supporting the government of Nigeria with strengthening primary health care and routine immunization systems as well as supporting overall systems strengthening including health, education, nutrition, governance systems, and the rule of law.
Also speaking, the Director General of the NHPCDA Dr Muyi Aina, said the distribution of the vaccine will commence immediately and priority will be given to states with the highest cases and frontline workers.
He thanked the US government for the support and pledged to the judicious use of the vaccines which he said will help save lives and curb the spread of monkey pox across Nigeria.
