Introduction

In a significant move to combat the rising number of mpox cases, Sierra Leone commenced its vaccination campaign on Wednesday, focusing on frontline health care workers and high-risk individuals, including children aged 12 and above. The country has procured a total of 61,300 vaccine doses through the World Health Organization and its development partners.

Vaccination Campaign Details

Amanda Clemens, the social mobilization coordinator for the Ministry of Health, emphasized the importance of this initiative. “We are rolling out Mpox vaccines to frontline health care workers and high-risk individuals. Currently, the vaccination is being initiated in the Western Area, and we aim to expand our efforts to other communities as the program progresses,” she stated.

Current Statistics on Mpox Cases

As of today, over 100 health care professionals from 34 military hospitals — where mpox cases are both tested and treated — have received their vaccine doses and vaccination cards during the official launch. The National Public Health Agency reports that Sierra Leone has recorded a total of 125 mpox cases: 29 females and 96 males, with 71 active cases, 52 recoveries, and two fatalities.

Government's Commitment

Health Minister Dr. Austin Demby led by example, asserting, “I will be the first person to take the mpox vaccination to demonstrate my leadership and confidence in the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness.” He reiterated that the government’s commitment to sustaining surveillance efforts will include regular testing of suspected cases and working diligently with partners to curb transmission.

Public Health Emergency Declaration

Sierra Leone declared a public health emergency back in January, implementing strict surveillance measures at its borders after the first two cases of mpox were confirmed. This move reflects the seriousness with which authorities are addressing a virus causing a slew of health complications, including high fever and skin lesions that are characteristic of mpox.

Historical Context

First recognized in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970, mpox had remained confined primarily to a few African countries until it began spreading globally in 2022, reaching nations where the virus had never been reported before. In fact, the World Health Organization escalated these concerns by declaring the highest level of alert in 2024.

Learning from Ebola

This proactive vaccination effort comes just a decade after Sierra Leone faced a devastating Ebola outbreak that claimed around 4,000 lives, including a staggering 7% of its health workforce between 2014 and 2016. The lessons learned from that crisis seem to inform the current response strategies, highlighting the critical importance of immediate action in public health emergencies.

Conclusion

As the situation unfolds, residents are urged to stay informed and maintain vigilance against this growing threat. With vaccination campaigns underway, will Sierra Leone manage to control the spread of mpox? Only time will tell!