The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has announced that Bayelsa and Rivers states will be the first to initiate the Mpox vaccination exercise, aimed at curbing the spread of the virus.
According to NPHCDA, Bayelsa and Rivers were prioritized due to recent case numbers and the need to protect vulnerable populations in these areas.
On August 27, the United States government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), donated 10,000 doses of the Mpox vaccine to the Federal Government to support its efforts in responding to the current Mpox outbreak.
In August, Remi Adeleke, Head of the Public Relations Unit at NPHCDA, stated, “The date for vaccine deployment based on the current chronogram is from October 3 to 6, 2024, time to align with the three to six weeks period from vaccine receipt on August 27 for NAFDAC to conclude the regulatory procedures of sampling, traceability and lab analysis.”
“The tentative implementation date is October 8, 2024.
“Due to limited available doses (9,980) of the Jynneos Mpox vaccine, the quantities will be slit evenly (1,996 doses) across the five states for implementation. Specific states for implementation are being evaluated based on the current trend of cases in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.”
Hauwa Tense, Director of Logistics and Health Commodities at NPHCDA, shared on Monday that the agency has been coordinating with the planned implementing states virtually, particularly focusing on the two initial roll-out states (Bayelsa and Rivers).
“Physical engagement was conducted from September 1 to 5, 2024, to provide orientation to key stakeholders and assess each state’s readiness to commence vaccination.
“The Mpox vaccine is expected to be deployed to seven states – Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Benue, and the Federal Capital Territory. Please note that Bayelsa and Rivers states will commence the vaccination exercise first.
“An average of 631 persons are expected to be vaccinated across the seven states, each receiving two doses of the Mpox vaccine. A buffer for 50 persons will be kept at the national level in case of an upsurge in other states.”
Data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention as of September 29 showed that Nigeria had recorded 84 confirmed Mpox cases out of 1,237 suspected cases across 57 local government areas in 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
