Just when the country needed a final surge of momentum in its fight against Mpox, Sierra Leone received a timely boost. On September 8th, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation officially welcomed a donation of 67,200 doses of the Mpox vaccine from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The consignment was received at Freetown International Airport by senior health officials, marking a strategic reinforcement of the national response.
This donation arrives at a critical moment. Mpox cases have dropped dramatically from over 2,000 active cases just months ago to 63 cases currently, with some days recording zero new infections. The vaccines will support expanded coverage in hotspot districts, protect vulnerable populations, and help the country edge closer to zero transmission.
Receiving the vaccines on behalf of the government of Sierra Leone, Minister of Health Dr Austin Demby expressed deep appreciation to the U.S. Government. “We’ve made remarkable progress, but now is not the time to celebrate. It is time to be cautiously optimistic. These vaccines give us the edge we need to finish this fight,” he said.
The donation strengthens the Vaccine Pillar, coordinated by the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), Deputy Executive Director Dr Mohamed Alex Vandi was also present at the official handover ceremony. The vaccine pillar complements the work of other response pillars, including case management, surveillance, and risk communication. Together, these systems ensure that vaccines are not only delivered but deployed with precision and purpose.
With this latest contribution, Sierra Leone has now received over 267,000 Mpox vaccine doses, all at no cost, thanks to the generosity of partners, including the U.S. CDC, Africa CDC, Gavi, WHO, and UNICEF. Despite global supply challenges, the country’s ability to mobilize support reflects strong leadership and coordinated diplomacy.
This moment is more than a delivery. It is a declaration of resilience. As the vaccines begin reaching arms across the country, Sierra Leone moves closer to turning the tide on Mpox, protecting lives, and restoring confidence in public health.
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Public Relations Unit NPHA-