Uganda receives 10,000 doses of Mpox vaccines

Mpox vaccine. Monkeypox virus (MPXV), the virus that causes the mpox disease, is related to the virus that causes smallpox. PHOTO/Shutterstock
What you need to know:
- Mpox is characterised by symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a distinctive rash, is slowly becoming a major public health concern, especially among key populations in urban and semi-urban areas.
The European Commission, through its Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), has delivered 10,000 doses of the MVABN® vaccine to Uganda to support the country's response to the ongoing Mpox outbreak.
The consignment arrived at Entebbe International Airport yesterday afternoon. Uganda is currently grappling with
an escalating case of Mpox, with more than 1,000 confirmed cases, putting pressure on the country’s healthcare system.
This rise in infections with the viral disease, whose outbreak was confirmed in Uganda last July, also saw cumulative deaths increase from six to 10 in the same period.
According to an official from the commission, the delivery is part of more than 215,000 doses donated by HERA to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to address the current crisis across the continent. It also follows the delivery of 200,000 Mpox vaccines to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in September last year and 5,420 Mpox vaccines to Rwanda in last October.
Mr Laurent Muschel, the head of HERA, said the vaccines will help Uganda tackle the deadly disease.
“We made a commitment to addressthe Mpox outbreak in close cooperation with our partners. We cannot fight these health threats alone – solidarity between continents is essential. We will continue to work on all fronts with our partners to ensure protection of vulnerable populations through Team Europe’s global response.” Mr Muschel said.
Dr Jean Kaseya, the director general of Africa CDC, remarked that strong partnerships and coordinated efforts will ensure the Mpox outbreak is effectively contained and that vulnerable populations are protected.
"The delivery of these vaccines highlights the power of collaboration in addressing health emergencies and building a healthier, more secure future for Africa. Together with the European Commission and Team Europe, we are making significant strides to safeguard vulnerable communities and strengthen Africa’s health security," Dr Kaseya said.
The EU Ambassador to Uganda, Mr Jan Sadek, said the arrival of these vaccines is a vital Team Europe effort that will strengthen the country’s response to combat the ongoing Mpox outbreak and help protect lives.
“The European Union is a committed partner of Uganda and continues its support to bring concrete benefits to ordinary Ugandans," Ambassador Sadek said.
The viral disease characterised by symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a distinctive rash, is slowly becoming a major public health concern, especially among key populations in urban and semi-urban areas.
Mpox in Uganda
A report the Mpox response team states that as of January 8, on the cumulative Mpox infections across 71 districts in the 166 days since the viral disease outbreak, shows Kampala Metropolitan Area as the most affected with 1,095 cases.
This represents more than 60 percent of the total cases in the country. Kampala City alone had 808 cases with one death, Wakiso District followed with 246 cases, with Mukono recording 41 cases.
Outside the Kampala Metropolitan Area, Nakasongola District had the highest number of cases at 77, followed by Mbarara City with 44 cases, and Hoima City registering 13 cases.