Mpox Vaccine Shortages in Africa Impact Global Health Initiatives

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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A woman wearing a colorful headscarf and clothing holds a microphone and speaks into a camera. The camera is positioned to film her, capturing her intense expression. In front of her and the camera are boxes labeled "Vaccine." In the background, a large crowd of people stand in a market-like setting, with colorful fabric draping overhead. Above the scene, a large, digitally-rendered image of a virus floats, symbolizing the context of a vaccination campaign in response to a viral outbreak.
The mpox outbreak highlights the impact of mpox vaccine shortages in Africa and global public health response urging immediate local and global action for health equity Image generated by DALL E
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The mpox outbreak in Africa has resulted in over 17,000 cases reported.
Mpox vaccine shortages in Africa have persisted for two years.
The fatality rate for mpox is about 5% in adults and 10% in children.
The WHO has declared mpox a global health emergency due to its rapid spread.
The strain of mpox currently in Africa is more lethal than previous infections.
The Africa CDC has declared mpox an emergency for immediate response.
Local vaccine production capacity needs to be increased to address shortages.
Targeted vaccination campaigns are essential to manage available vaccine supply.
Community engagement is key to ensuring high vaccine uptake during campaigns.
The call to “decolonize global health” emphasizes local solutions for future health crises.

The Alarming Spread of Mpox Outbreak in Africa

A New Global Health Emergency

The World Health Organization (WHO) has once again sounded the alarm. They’ve declared mpox, previously known as monkeypox, a global health emergency. This decision comes as the virus spreads at an alarming rate across Africa and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions (Economic Times).

Mpox Outbreak Statistics in 13 African Nations

WHO declares mpox outbreak a global health emergency This chart shows the number of mpox cases and fatalities reported in 13 African countries since the beginning of the year. The y-axis represents the count, with cases in the thousands and fatalities in the hundreds.

The numbers paint a grim picture. Since the start of the year, over 17,000 cases and more than 500 deaths have been reported across 13 African nations. The outbreak has even spread to four provinces that had never seen mpox cases before (CNN).

Understanding Mpox: Transmission and Symptoms

Mpox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It spreads through close contact with infected persons, animals, or materials. The main symptoms include:

  • A painful rash
  • Enlarged lymph nodes
  • Fever

While anyone can catch mpox, certain groups are at higher risk for severe illness. These include children, pregnant people, and those with weak immune systems (WHO).

The Impact of Mpox Vaccine Shortages in Africa

A Crisis Two Years in the Making

One of the most pressing issues in this crisis is the severe lack of mpox vaccines in Africa. This shortage has persisted for two years since the last major outbreak. The lack of vaccines has left millions unprotected and vulnerable to the virus (Economic Times).

The vaccine shortage highlights a bigger problem. It shows how global health systems often fail to prioritize African needs. This failure has allowed the virus to spread unchecked, leading to the current crisis.

The Human Cost of Vaccine Shortages

The lack of vaccines has had a direct impact on mpox fatality rates. The virus has a fatality rate of about 5% in adults. But for children, this rate doubles to 10% (Economic Times). These high rates are partly due to the lack of protection that vaccines would provide.

Experts point to other factors that make children more vulnerable:

  • Lack of protection from the smallpox vaccine
  • Higher rates of malnutrition
  • Less developed immune systems

Global Public Health Response to Mpox Crisis

WHO’s Emergency Measures

In response to the crisis, the WHO has taken several steps. They’ve approved the Emergency Use Listing process for mpox vaccines. They’ve also developed a regional response strategy (CNN).

But these measures have been criticized as too little, too late. Many health experts argue that a more proactive approach could have prevented the current crisis.

The Call to “Decolonize Global Health”

Nigerian journalist Zubaida Baba Ibrahim has been vocal about the need for change. She argues that Africa must “decolonize global health.” This means moving away from relying on external vaccine supplies. Instead, Africa should focus on developing local solutions and taking proactive measures (Economic Times).

This call for local solutions is gaining traction. Many see it as a way to address not just the mpox crisis, but future health emergencies as well.

The Unique Challenges of Mpox in Africa

A More Lethal Strain

The mpox outbreak in Africa presents unique challenges. The strain currently circulating is more lethal than the one that spread worldwide two years ago (NPR).

This increased lethality has led to higher fatality rates, especially among children. It has also put a strain on already stretched healthcare systems across the continent.

Spread to New Regions

The virus has now spread to areas that had never reported mpox cases before. This expansion into new territories presents several challenges:

  1. Lack of experience in dealing with mpox
  2. Shortage of trained healthcare workers
  3. Limited resources for testing and treatment

These factors have made containing the outbreak even more difficult.

The Role of Public Health Initiatives in Africa

Africa CDC’s Response

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has taken a proactive stance. For the first time, they’ve declared mpox an emergency. This declaration came just a day before the WHO’s announcement (CNN).

The Africa CDC’s quick action shows a growing capacity for regional responses to health crises. It also highlights the importance of local leadership in addressing health emergencies.

Challenges in Implementing Public Health Measures

Despite these efforts, implementing effective public health measures remains a challenge. Some of the key obstacles include:

  • Limited healthcare infrastructure
  • Shortage of trained medical personnel
  • Difficulty in reaching remote areas
  • Cultural barriers to adopting new health practices

Overcoming these challenges will be crucial in containing the mpox outbreak and preventing future health crises.

The Need for Improved Monkeypox Vaccination Strategies

Addressing Vaccine Supply Issues

The current mpox outbreak has highlighted severe gaps in vaccine supply and distribution. To address these issues, several strategies have been proposed:

  1. Increase local vaccine production capacity
  2. Improve vaccine storage and distribution networks
  3. Develop more heat-stable vaccine formulations
  4. Implement fair vaccine sharing agreements between countries

These strategies aim to ensure a more reliable and equitable supply of mpox vaccines across Africa.

Targeted Vaccination Campaigns

Given the limited supply of vaccines, targeted vaccination campaigns are crucial. These campaigns focus on high-risk groups and areas where the outbreak is most severe. This approach can help maximize the impact of available vaccines.

However, implementing these campaigns requires careful planning and coordination. It also needs strong community engagement to ensure high vaccine uptake.

Conclusion: A Call for Global Solidarity and Local Action

The mpox outbreak in Africa is more than just a health crisis. It’s a wake-up call for the global community. It highlights the urgent need for a more equitable and responsive global health system.

To truly address this crisis, we need a two-pronged approach:

  • Global solidarity: The international community must step up with resources and support.
  • Local action: African nations must take the lead in developing and implementing solutions.

Only by combining these approaches can we hope to contain the current outbreak and prevent future crises. The time for action is now. The health and lives of millions depend on it.

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FAQ

Q: What is mpox and how is it transmitted?
A: Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It spreads through close contact with infected persons, animals, or materials. The main symptoms include a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, and fever.

Q: Why has the WHO declared mpox a global health emergency?
A: The WHO declared mpox a global health emergency due to the alarming rate of its spread across Africa and the MENA regions, with over 17,000 cases and more than 500 deaths reported since the start of the year.

Q: What are the unique challenges facing Africa in the mpox outbreak?
A: The outbreak in Africa presents unique challenges, including a more lethal strain of the virus, its spread to new regions with no prior cases, and the lack of trained healthcare workers and resources for testing and treatment.

Q: How has the vaccine shortage affected the mpox situation in Africa?
A: The severe shortage of mpox vaccines in Africa has left millions unprotected, contributing to higher fatality rates, especially among children, who are already at greater risk due to factors like malnutrition and underdeveloped immune systems.

Q: What steps are being taken to address the mpox crisis?
A: The WHO has approved the Emergency Use Listing process for mpox vaccines and developed a regional response strategy. Additionally, the Africa CDC has declared mpox an emergency to promote regional responses and local leadership in tackling the crisis.

Q: What solutions are proposed to improve vaccine supply issues in Africa?
A: Proposed solutions include increasing local vaccine production capacity, improving storage and distribution networks, developing heat-stable vaccine formulations, and implementing fair vaccine sharing agreements between countries.

Q: How can targeted vaccination campaigns help in the mpox outbreak?
A: Targeted vaccination campaigns focus on high-risk groups and areas most affected by the outbreak, aiming to maximize the impact of limited vaccine supplies. Effective implementation requires careful planning, coordination, and strong community engagement.

Q: What is the call to action regarding the mpox crisis?
A: The crisis emphasizes the need for global solidarity and local action, with the international community providing resources and support while African nations lead in developing and implementing solutions to contain the outbreak and prevent future health emergencies.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.