Africa is set to receive its first batch of 10,000 mpox vaccines next week, a significant step in addressing a virus that has long affected the continent.
This shipment, donated by the United States, arrives amid criticism over delays caused by global health inequities, highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite mpox being a longstanding health issue in Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO) only initiated the approval process for vaccine access this month.
This delay has forced countries to depend on donations from richer countries, hindering efforts to control the outbreak.
Public health experts have condemned the situation as “outrageous,” especially as the virus continues to spread, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Limited Vaccine Access in Africa
“The issue of access is the one that globally we also need to shout about because it is really outrageous that after Covid we we’re going back into the same situation that the African region once again doesn’t have access to vaccines easily,” said Helen Rees a representative at the Africa CDC.
Since the beginning of the year, more than 13,700 cases and 450 deaths have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The virus has since spread to other African countries, including Burundi, the Central African Republic (CAR), Kenya and Rwanda.
Consequently, this has led The Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to declare the mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS), mobilizing resources across affected countries.
Also Read: Kenyans Warned Against Consuming Select Meat Amid Mpox Cases
Past Health Inequities in Africa Regarding Mpox Vaccines
From May 2022 to July 2023, Mpox was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the WHO.
However, Africa did not receive the urgently needed support at that time, and as global cases started to decline, the rising numbers in Africa were largely ignored by international health bodies.
In his statement on August 13, during the recent declaration, Africa CDC Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya emphasized the need for a change in approach this time round.
Also Read: Kenya to Receive 2 million Mpox Vaccines Amid Public Health Concerns
“We urge our international partners to seize this moment to act differently and collaborate closely with Africa CDC to provide the necessary support to our Member States,” he said,
He further appealed to global partners urging them to assist the African continent in combating the disease by providing the much-needed health resources.
“We call on you to stand with us in this critical hour. Africa has long been on the frontlines in the fight against infectious diseases, often with limited resources.”
“The battle against Mpox demands a global response. We need your support, expertise, and solidarity. The world cannot afford to turn a blind eye to this crisis,” he added.
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