African AIDS Society Calls for Urgent Free Mpox Vaccines

The Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA), a leading pan-African non-governmental organisation and organiser of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), is calling for the widespread distribution of mpox vaccines in Africa.

This appeal follows the declarations of mpox outbreaks as a Public Health Emergency by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

In a statement, the SAA emphasised the urgent need for coordinated efforts to prevent further spread and mitigate the impact of the disease.

It urged international partners and donors to provide the necessary financial and technical assistance to support Africa’s response to the mpox outbreak, particularly in ensuring access to treatment and vaccines.

The organisation highlighted the importance of global solidarity and cooperation to ensure that the continent is adequately prepared to tackle this public health challenge and prevent further loss of life. This includes the “urgent, free access to [mpox] vaccines for African countries at high risk.”

The SAA also stressed the importance of integrating mpox response strategies into existing public health frameworks. “The ongoing experience in managing the HIV/AIDS epidemic has equipped African nations with valuable expertise that can be leveraged to tackle the mpox outbreak,” said Luc Armand H. Bodea, ICASA Director and SAA Coordinator.

The SAA called on governments, health institutions, and civil society organisations to prioritise community engagement and public education campaigns to combat misinformation and stigma associated with mpox.

“It is essential that vulnerable populations, including people living with HIV, children, and key populations, especially those with large sexual networks, receive priority attention and support during this period of heightened risk,” said Bodea.

Since the start of 2024, more than 17,000 cases and 517 deaths due to mpox have been reported across 16 African countries. The number of reported cases in 2024 has surged by 160% compared to the same period in 2023.

In South Africa, there have been 24 confirmed mpox cases since May, with three deaths. The version or “clade” of mpox identified in South Africa so far differs from the one prevalent in the rest of the continent.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stated on Saturday that there must be a correction to “the unfair treatment” from the previous mpox outbreak in 2022, “where vaccines and therapeutics were developed and made available primarily to Western countries, with little support extended to Africa.”

In June, the Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, announced plans to procure mpox vaccines for at-risk groups, including gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men but vaccines have yet to be rolled out.

For information on mpox symptoms, prevention, and treatment, click here.