Africa faces another vaccine apartheid in the fight against monkeypox

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), has said that the continent of Africa is facing another vaccine apartheid in the fight against Monkeypox.

A statement issued on Monday by Dr. Echey Ijezie Country Program Director, AHF Nigeria, said this is even after the novel coronavirus exposed glaring flaws in the world’s collective ability to respond to infectious disease outbreaks.

“Presently, we are seemingly back to the old ways, as evidenced by the global response to the now endemic monkeypox. The world may once again lose a chance to control a pandemic. 

 “The zoonotic viral disease, which is already endemic in 10 countries in West and Central Africa, only drew the world’s attention after affecting people in rich countries in the Global North. Even after the disruption caused by Covid-19, wealthy countries’ self-destructive unwillingness to cooperate for the benefit of the entire global population is evident again. 

 “This year, there have been dozens of monkeypox cases in Cameroon, Nigeria, and the Central African Republic (CAR), with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reporting the highest number of infections with over 2,938 cases and 110 deaths. As of Sep. 9, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (A-CDC) reported 4,244 total cases (520 confirmed, 3,724 suspected) and 124 deaths. There are nearly 58,000 cases globally, with 125 countries reporting at least one case.

 “African health officials still face the challenge of undercounting due to limited surveillance and testing capacity, which explains the vast discrepancy between confirmed and suspected cases. Additionally, the absence of vaccines for front-line health care workers and laboratory technicians in affected countries puts them in imminent danger. “ 

He added that in July of this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated the global monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).

“Researchers in Africa had hoped that the declaration—the highest alarm by WHO outside of a pandemic—would alert the world to support Africa’s fight against the disease. Sadly, that has not been the case.

 “The WHO PHEIC label means that a coordinated international response is needed to unlock funding and global efforts to collaborate on sharing vaccines, technologies, and treatments. Researchers and health officials in Africa are wary that, as with the Covid-19 vaccine apartheid against African countries, the continent will continue to be sidelined in its bid to secure enough vaccines.   

“To date, though WHO member states have pledged more than 31 million smallpox vaccine doses to the global body for smallpox emergencies — these vaccines have never been shared with Africa for use against monkeypox.”