Sierra Leone Initiates Mpox Vaccination Amid Rising Cases

In response to the increasing number of mpox cases, Sierra Leone has commenced the vaccination of frontline healthcare workers and high-risk individuals, including children aged 12 and older. The initiative follows the acquisition of 61,300 vaccine doses from the World Health Organization and other development partners.

Amanda Clemens, the social mobilization coordinator for the health ministry, announced that the vaccination rollout is initially focused on the Western Area region. She indicated that as the program progresses, vaccination teams will be expanded to reach additional communities.

At the official launch, more than 100 healthcare professionals from 34 military hospitals--where mpox cases are treated and tested--received their vaccine doses and vaccination cards. The National Public Health Agency (NPHA) has reported a total of 125 mpox cases in the country, comprising 29 females and 96 males, with 71 active cases, 52 recoveries, and two fatalities.

The Health Minister expressed his commitment to the vaccination program, stating that he would be the first to receive the mpox vaccine, demonstrating confidence in its safety and efficacy. He emphasized the importance of ongoing surveillance and regular testing for suspected cases to mitigate the transmission of the virus.

In January, Sierra Leone declared a public health emergency in light of the mpox outbreak, enhancing surveillance measures at its borders following the confirmation of two initial cases. Mpox, a viral disease related to smallpox, is characterized by high fever and the appearance of skin lesions known as vesicles.

Initially identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970, the disease was largely confined to a limited number of African nations until it began to spread globally in 2022, reaching regions where it had not previously circulated. The World Health Organization elevated its alert status in 2024 due to the escalating situation.

This recent vaccination effort marks a significant step in Sierra Leone's public health strategy, recalling the country's struggles during the Ebola epidemic from 2014 to 2016, which resulted in approximately 4,000 deaths, including a high percentage of healthcare workers. The current vaccination campaign aims to bolster the healthcare system's resilience against emerging viral threats.