On Tuesday, the United States government donated 10,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine to Nigeria, aiming to bolster the country’s efforts in combating monkeypox.
The Jynneos vaccine, which has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, is specifically designed to prevent both smallpox and monkeypox in adults aged 18 and older who are considered at risk of infection.
During the official handover ceremony in Abuja, Prof. Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, expressed deep appreciation for the U.S. government’s generous contribution. Represented by Permanent Secretary Daju Kachollom, Pate highlighted the Federal Government’s ongoing commitment to enhancing public health across Nigeria.
“This donation exemplifies the spirit of cooperation and collaboration that has existed between our nations for many years. This vaccine will be of immense benefit to us,” Pate stated. He further emphasized that all policies and collaborations pursued by the Federal Ministry of Health are geared towards ensuring the health and well-being of Nigeria’s citizens.
Pate also extended his gratitude to other development partners, including USAID, PEPFAR, WHO, UNICEF, and various UN organizations, for their continued support. He stressed the importance of addressing public health challenges, particularly diseases like monkeypox, which pose significant risks to the population.
Monkeypox, a rare viral zoonotic disease, predominantly affects remote villages in Central and West Africa, particularly those located near tropical rainforests. The disease is caused by the monkeypox virus, part of the orthopoxvirus genus, which also includes smallpox and cowpox.
Following the successful eradication of smallpox, monkeypox has emerged as a major concern within the orthopoxvirus family. On August 13, 2024, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention declared monkeypox a public health emergency of continental significance.
As of last Friday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reported 40 confirmed cases of monkeypox out of 830 suspected cases across the country.
Source: tribuneonlineng.com
