Nigeria is one of the two countries in Africa that have granted regulatory approval to enable the use of vaccine candidates for mpox, this was recently revealed by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
According to Dr Rosamund Lewis, Emergency Manager and Technical Lead for the global mpox response at the WHO, the emergency listing process for the mpox vaccine candidates will accelerate access for the people at risk for the disease. So far in Africa, only Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo have authorised the use of the vaccine candidates for emergency use. This, Lewis said, suggests that both countries are on track to quickly secure the vaccine doses.
“This is just to note that those countries have moved ahead with their planning on securing vaccines,” Lewis said.
The approved vaccine in Nigeria is the Live Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara (MVA-BN), developed by Bavarian Nordic. The MVA-BN vaccine, a third-generation smallpox vaccine, is distinguished by its inability to replicate within vaccinated individuals. This feature ensures that the virus does not spread in the body, contributing to its favorable safety profile, which has been confirmed in numerous clinical studies.
According to the manufacturer, the MVA-BN vaccine platform is not only approved for smallpox in Canada and the European Union, but it has also shown promising results against mpox. Dr. Jamie Lopez Bernal, led a recent study published in The Lancet. They reported that “a single dose of MVA-BN has been shown to be highly protective against symptomatic mpox disease, with an effectiveness rate of 78% at least 14 days post-vaccination.”
The study conducted in the UK among high-risk populations provided critical data supporting the vaccine’s efficacy. The researchers added, “Our findings suggest that MVA-BN can provide rapid protection, making it an essential tool in outbreak control, especially when vaccine supplies are limited.”
The approval of the MVA-BN vaccine by Nigeria and DR Congo marks a significant milestone in Africa’s response to mpox. It also reflects the country’s readiness to adopt cutting-edge solutions in the fight against emerging infectious diseases. With the ongoing support from global health organizations and the evidence from recent studies, Nigeria is poised to protect its population effectively and serve as a model for other nations facing similar public health challenges.
As Dr. Lewis emphasized, “This is not just about securing vaccines; it’s about securing the future health of our communities. Nigeria’s leadership in this regard sets a precedent for proactive public health measures across the continent.”
As of 4 August 2024, all five regions and 16 countries in Africa have reported mpox cases, with six countries newly affected in the past ten days and 18 countries at risk.
Since January 2022, Africa has recorded 38,465 mpox cases and 1,456 deaths. The situation has worsened significantly in 2024, with the number of cases in the first half of the year already 160% higher compared to the same period in 2023. Last week alone, there were 887 new cases and five new deaths, bringing the total for the year to 15,132 cases and 461 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 3.0%.
Recent outbreaks in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Uganda mark the first-ever reported cases in these countries, indicating the virus’s expanding geographical reach. Key drivers of transmission include cross-border movement, sexual transmission, and healthcare-seeking behaviors. The virus’s incubation period ranges from 5 to 21 days, complicating efforts to control its spread.
In Côte d’Ivoire, the Ministry of Health declared an outbreak after identifying two cases. Similarly, Kenya reported its first case involving a long-distance truck driver, and Uganda reported two cases imported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The high fatality rate, especially among children under 15 who account for 60% of the cases, underscores the severity of the outbreak. Increased cross-border movements and potential virus mutations leading to new transmission routes, such as sexual transmission, elevate the risk. Moreover, the unavailability of vaccines and treatment kits hampers control measures.