By Kemo Cham
Sierra Leone on February 25th received a consignment of Mpox vaccines as part of its response to the viral disease outbreak in the country.
Health officials and representatives of partner organizations received the 61,300 doses of the vaccine (MVA-BN) on arrival at the Freetown International Airport, making Sierra Leone one of 12 countries to have receive the life-saving commodity.
Sierra Leone declared Mpox a public health emergency in January, after confirming two cases of the viral disease.
The vaccines were delivered as the country recorded its 29 cumulative confirmed cases, according to data from the National Public Health Agency (NPHA).
The Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Agency (NPHA) described the development as a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to combat the Mpox outbreak.
“This milestone strengthens our commitment to public health preparedness and disease prevention,” the National Public Health Agency (NPHA) said in a statement, noting that it is a critical step in safeguarding communities, as it helps to boost immunity, reduce transmission, and protect the most vulnerable populations.
The vaccine was procured by UNICEF with funding from the vaccine alliance, GAVI and the Republic of Ireland, with technical support from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (African CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Health Minister Dr Austin Demby was at hand to receive the vaccine. He spoke about the importance of vaccination in disease prevention, calling on Sierra Leoneans to participate in the vaccination program.
“This vaccine is safe, effective, and will be distributed free of charge,” he said.
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a virus that causes fevers, headaches, and painful boils on the skin. It can spread from person to person through close physical contact, including sexual intercourse.
Mpox is not strange to Sierra Leone. The country first recorded a case of the disease in 1970.
Officials said the fact that none of the cases in the current outbreak have been linked to each other indicates that the virus had been circulating in the country.
The vaccines are recommended for individuals aged 12 and older. But the MoH and the NPHA had said that the vaccine would be administered to the most vulnerable groups of people, including frontline health care workers and populations in vulnerable or high-risk areas.
Officials however cautioned that the vaccine is just one component of a broader strategy in the country’s response to the disease, noting that it must be complemented by robust prevention and control measures.
The MoH and the NPHA have since outlined a comprehensive response plan to identify cases, interrupt transmission, and protect the population.
Officials also warned that more cases were expected to surface before the outbreak could be put under control.
Professor Foday Sahr, Executive Director of the NPHA, said the vaccine is an added advantage in the country’s fight against the virus.
“We are confident that with this vaccine, we can mitigate the impact of the disease,” he said.
