The Ministry of Health& the National Public Health Agency for Sierra Leone officially obtained 61,300 doses of the MPOX MVA-BN vaccine on February 25th.
The handover ceremony was led by Hon. Minister of Health Austin Demby, together with Prof. Foday Sahr, who leads the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), represented alongside delegates from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF Sierra Leone, Africa CDC, and additional health partners.
Prof. Foday Sahr delivered a statement focusing on the MPOX vaccine's role in stopping the spread of the disease and thanked international partners for their support. The Ministry of Health has launched a detailed vaccination plan to reach all areas within Sierra Leone. Dr. Austin Demby emphasized in his keynote address that the government remains dedicated to safeguarding citizens' health and safety. He pointed out how community education and engagement can lead to better acceptance and adherence to vaccination programs.
This achievement represents a significant advancement in combating Mpox while demonstrating our dedication to safeguarding public health and eradicating the virus.
Through united effort and our strong commitment to the nation's health and well-being, we will defeat Mpox together. We all must participate in this vaccination campaign to create a healthier future for Sierra Leone through cooperative effort. Liv Elin Indreitin, the UNICEF Representative, stated that UNICEF fully supports the Ministry of Health's efforts to implement the vaccination program for both routine immunization and outbreak response as part of their commitment to ensure the health well-being of children and families across the country.
NPHA extends gratitude to all our donor partners, including Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO, UNICEF, Africa CDC, Irish Government, and other supporting organizations, for procuring and delivering these vaccines. Their unwavering support has been instrumental in reaching this milestone.
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