In a significant development in the global fight against mpox, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, facilitated the shipment of 11,200 doses of the mpox vaccine to Nigeria, delivered on December 20, 2024. This shipment is part of a larger commitment from the United States to donate up to 1 million doses to support the global mpox response. Gavi's CEO, Dr. Sania Nishtar, emphasized the importance of these donations, stating they are vital for combating the outbreak. The vaccines, manufactured by Bavarian Nordic, were allocated through the Access and Allocation Mechanism (AAM). [7806483b]
This recent shipment follows Gavi's procurement of 500,000 doses in September 2024, coinciding with the US's announcement of its donation intentions on September 24, 2024. By the end of 2024, nearly 6 million doses are expected to be available, significantly bolstering vaccination efforts across affected regions. Gavi has also provided emergency funding of $2.7 million to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and $1.5 million to Rwanda to facilitate vaccine rollout in these countries. [7806483b]
The mpox outbreak, which has seen a surge in cases in the DRC, has prompted urgent vaccination campaigns in various African nations. As of October 6, 2024, the DRC has initiated its vaccination campaign, with 265,000 doses donated by the European Union and the United States. The WHO has declared a global health emergency due to the outbreak, which has resulted in approximately 30,000 suspected cases and 859 deaths this year. [6d95c396]
In Goma, North Kivu province, healthcare facilities are overwhelmed, with hospitals reporting thousands of cases and a significant fatality rate among vulnerable populations. The Africa CDC has declared a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) for mpox, emphasizing the need for rapid international cooperation to contain the virus's spread. [342d0759]
As Nigeria receives its vaccine shipment, the global community remains focused on addressing the ongoing mpox crisis, with health authorities urging vaccination and public health measures to mitigate the outbreak's impact. [7806483b]