The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has donated 10,000 doses of the mpox vaccine to Nigeria, bolstering the nation’s efforts to combat the ongoing outbreak. Formerly known as monkeypox, mpox is a viral disease transmissible through close contact, including sexual interactions. Vaccination remains a key preventive measure, particularly for individuals aged 18 and above who are at high risk.
The vaccine, administered as a two-dose primary series for those who have never received the smallpox vaccine and as a single booster for those previously vaccinated, is expected to reach Nigeria’s most affected areas. U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills, during the handover to the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, emphasized the importance of timely delivery to vulnerable populations, urging Nigeria to continue mobilizing resources to secure more vaccines.
Five states—Bayelsa, Edo, Cross River, Lagos, and Rivers—have been prioritized for vaccine distribution due to their high mpox burden. Frontline healthcare workers and close contacts of confirmed cases are among those slated to receive the vaccine, with provisions for reactive vaccination in other states as needed.
Addressing concerns about vaccine safety, Mills affirmed that the vaccine had undergone rigorous clinical trials, with Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control approving its use after careful review.
USAID also reiterated its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s broader health initiatives, including strengthening primary healthcare, routine immunization systems, and overall resilience to infectious disease outbreaks.
