Kenya is among nine African nations allocated vaccine doses to combat a surge of MPOX cases across the continent. The Access and Allocation Mechanism (AAM) has distributed an initial 899,000 doses to the affected countries, aiming to control the outbreak effectively.
In a statement by the World Health Organization (WHO), the vaccine distribution plan was developed in collaboration with the impacted countries and international donors. The allocation prioritizes countries based on their readiness and epidemiological data, with the objective of using the limited vaccine supply fairly and strategically.
Key Collaborators and Countries
The allocation decision was approved by a coalition of health organizations, including Africa CDC, CEPI, Gavi, UNICEF, and WHO, guided by recommendations from an independent technical committee. The nine recipient countries include:
- Kenya
- Central African Republic
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
- Liberia
- Nigeria
- Rwanda
- South Africa
- Uganda
The DRC, the epicenter of the outbreak, received the largest share—85% of the allocated doses—due to its high infection rate, with four out of every five laboratory-confirmed cases in Africa reported from the country.
MPOX Outbreak Overview
The surge of MPOX, driven by the viral strain clade Ib, has been declared a public health emergency by WHO and Africa CDC. The outbreak has affected 19 African countries this year, many of which are reporting cases for the first time. The DRC remains the most severely impacted, with over 38,000 suspected cases and more than 1,000 deaths reported in 2023 alone.
In Kenya, 13 cases have been confirmed across various regions, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, and Kilifi. The country recorded its first MPOX-related fatality recently, underscoring the need for a swift response.
Vaccination Rollout and Strategy
WHO recommends vaccination as part of a broader response strategy that includes timely testing, clinical care, and community engagement. Limited vaccination efforts have already begun in the DRC and Rwanda. The new allocation to the nine African nations marks a crucial step towards coordinated vaccine deployment aimed at halting the spread of MPOX.
The rollout of vaccines will follow a three-phased strategy:
- Phase One: Focuses on stopping ongoing outbreaks.
- Phase Two: Expands protection to more at-risk populations.
- Phase Three: Aims to build population immunity for future protection.
The first phase aims to vaccinate approximately 1.4 million high-risk individuals by the end of 2024, with 2.8 million doses of the MVA-BN vaccine allocated for this effort.
International Support and Future Allocations
The vaccine doses have been provided by several international partners, including Canada, Gavi, the European Union, and the United States. By the end of 2024, the AAM expects to secure over 5.85 million doses for African nations, with further allocations planned as the response continues to scale up.
Understanding MPOX
MPOX, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral infection that causes symptoms such as a painful rash, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. While many patients recover fully, severe cases can occur, particularly among vulnerable populations. The virus spreads through close contact with infected individuals, animals, or contaminated materials. Pregnant women can also transmit the virus to their unborn babies.
The allocation of vaccines marks a significant step towards managing the outbreak, with WHO and Africa CDC urging continued vigilance and community cooperation to curb the spread of the disease.
