The European Commission, through its Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), donated 10,000 doses of MPox vaccine to Uganda.
Mr. Laurent Muschel, the head of HERA, confirmed delivery of the consignment, saying the vaccines will help Uganda tackle the deadly disease.
“We made a commitment to address the Mpox outbreak in close cooperation with our partners. We cannot fight these health threats alone; solidarity between continents is essential. We will continue to work on all fronts with our partners to ensure protection of vulnerable populations through Team Europe’s global response.” Mr Muschel said.
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Dr. Jean Kaseva, the director general of the African Centre for Disease Control, praised the delivery, saying, “The delivery of these vaccines highlights the power of collaboration in addressing health emergencies and building a healthier, more secure future for Africa. Together with the European Commission and Team Europe, we are making significant strides to safeguard vulnerable communities and strengthen Africa’s health security.”
The EU Ambassador to Uganda, Mr. Jan Sadek, said the arrival of these vaccines is a vital Team Europe effort that will strengthen the country’s response to combat the ongoing Mpox outbreak and help protect lives.
“The European Union is a committed partner of Uganda and continues its support to bring concrete benefits to ordinary Ugandans,” Ambassador Sadek said.
A report the Mpox response team states that as of January 8, on the cumulative Mpox infections across 71 districts in the 166 days since the viral disease outbreak, shows Kampala Metropolitan Area as the most affected with 1,095 cases.
The viral disease, characterised by symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a distinctive rash, is slowly becoming a major public health concern, especially among key populations in urban and semi-urban areas.
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