Nigeria has received 10,000 doses of a vaccine to combat mpox, becoming the first African country to do so amid the current outbreak.
The country began securing vaccines before the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a global health emergency earlier this month.
Africa has been severely affected by the rapid spread of mpox, with calls for a faster response from international agencies.
Nigeria has confirmed 40 mpox cases, with a potential total of over 700, but no deaths. The vaccines, donated by the US, will prioritize health workers and at-risk communities.
DR Congo has recorded over 18,000 suspected cases and 615 deaths, with a new variant, Clade 1b, causing concern.
There are no mpox-specific vaccines, but smallpox vaccines work against the disease. The Africa CDC estimates 10 million doses are needed across the continent.
Critics say the WHO’s regulatory process is slow, posing a major challenge. The WHO is expected to grant emergency licenses for mpox vaccines in September.
The delay in receiving vaccines could have been shorter if more wealthy countries had donated, said Professor Helen Rees, an adviser to the WHO and Africa CDC.
