On Tuesday, the United States government donated 10,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine to Nigeria, aimed at combating the spread of mpox. The Jynneos vaccine, approved by the FDA, is used for the prevention of smallpox and mpox in adults at risk of infection.
During the handover ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, expressed gratitude to the U.S. government for their support. Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom, Pate highlighted the importance of this donation in improving the health and well-being of Nigerians.
“This collaboration reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring the health of our citizens,” Pate said, thanking the U.S. and other development partners for their contributions.
Mpox, a rare zoonotic viral infection, has been declared a public health emergency of continental concern by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. As of last week, Nigeria has reported 40 confirmed cases out of 830 suspected cases across the country.
U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, emphasized the significance of global health security, stating that a health threat in one part of the world is a threat to all. Mills praised Nigeria’s efforts in developing a national mpox vaccination strategy and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to supporting Nigeria’s public health initiatives.
The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Muyi Aina, noted that this donation marks a critical step in Nigeria’s response to the virus. He acknowledged the global shortage of the vaccine and assured that the doses would be prioritized for the most affected areas and vulnerable populations.
The U.S. donation is seen as a vital boost to Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to manage and contain the spread of mpox, reinforcing the importance of international cooperation in addressing global health challenges.
