Uganda commended for vigorous mpox vaccination

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The Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has commended the Government of Uganda for vaccinating over 50,000 people against mpox in less than two weeks.

“We are really commending Uganda, because in less than 2 weeks, they managed to vaccinate 51,000 people, which makes a total of 61,000. So currently, that is moving well,” said Prof Yap Boum II, deputy incident manager, Incident Management Support Team (IMST) on mpox at the Africa CDC.

He was speaking during the Africa CDC weekly press briefing on health emergencies across the continent and the pre-response measures that Africa CDC has across the member states, on April 24, 2025.

The news comes after Uganda recently received an additional 114,000 MVA-BA vaccine doses, supplementing the 10,000 doses received in the first consignment.

The MVA-BA, a two-dose regimen approved by the US FDA, is recommended for use in adults.

A health worker displays a container of Mpox vaccine. (Photo by Agnes Kyotalengerire)

The two doses are administered at an interval of eight months from the time the first dose is received, said Dr Michael Baganizi, manager of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (UNEPI).

Dr Bernard Lubwama, the deputy incident commander at Uganda’s Ministry of Health, acknowledged that a total of 62,060 MVA-BA vaccine doses have been distributed against a target of 210,257 doses.

He said the target areas for mpox vaccination include Rubaga, Nakawa and Central divisions, Makindye, Kawempe, Wakiso, Buvuma, Mbarara, and Hoima city.

Dr Lubwama said the vaccine is being administered to people aged between 12 and 50 in Mpox hotspots, with a focus on key populations such as commercial sex workers, men who have sex with men, long-distance drivers, and fisherfolk.

Considering the increased number of Mpox cases, the Ministry of Health requested a new allocation of 200,000 doses, which the Africa CDC has approved. Prof Boum II said the doses will be available next week.

The burden

As of April 15, 2025, Uganda had recorded a total of 5,431 confirmed mpox cases and 40 confirmed deaths.

The same report indicates that the most affected age group is individuals aged between 25 and 29.

Notably, cities — especially Mbarara and Kampala — and fishing communities in Buvuma, Kalangala, and Nakasongola districts are among the most affected areas.

Understanding mpox

Mpox (previously known as monkeypox) is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It spreads mainly through close contact with an infected person, causing a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, and fever. It can make people very sick and leave scars.

The virus is found in wild animals such as squirrels, rats, mice, and monkeys, and can spread to humans. It takes five to 21 days for an infected person to develop signs and symptoms, a period referred to as the incubation period.

Mpox spreads through direct contact with an infected person, including through touch, kissing, or sexual intercourse.

The disease can also be contracted by sharing contaminated sheets, clothes, bedding, and sharp instruments such as needles. Infected pregnant women can pass the virus to their unborn babies, notes Dr Bernard Lubwama.

Background

On August 14, 2024, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Mpox a public health emergency of international concern. This was the second time in two years that Mpox was classified at this highest level of response.

The global alert was preceded by a declaration by the Africa CDC on August 13, 2024, recognising Mpox as a public health emergency of continental security. These declarations underline the seriousness of the situation and the need for concerted efforts to curb the spread of the disease.