Liberia and Neighbors Receive Mpox Vaccines from Africa CDC.

Thursday 17th April 2025

By inAfrika Reporter

Liberia has received over 10,000 doses of mpox vaccines, marking a critical step in West Africa’s ongoing efforts to prevent a resurgence of the viral disease. Provided by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the batch is the country’s first and part of a larger regional initiative aimed at improving health preparedness following last year’s outbreak.

Health Minister Wilhelmina Jallah confirmed that Liberia, which currently has no active mpox cases, will prioritize healthcare workers and high-risk populations in the rollout. The vaccination campaign will utilize JYNNEOS, a newer generation of smallpox/mpox vaccines administered in two doses. Authorities also intend to integrate the vaccine into routine services in affected communities and reinforce laboratory testing to detect future infections early.

Though Liberia saw 70 confirmed mpox cases in 2024, the country responded through isolation and symptomatic care, as vaccines weren’t available at the time. This new approach marks a shift in how African nations are tackling infectious diseases leaning more on preventive strategies and less on reactive responses. Neighboring Sierra Leone and Côte d’Ivoire also received similar consignments in recent days, a recognition of the shared risk posed by porous borders and frequent travel across the Mano River Union.

Public awareness efforts are being relaunched to combat stigma and misinformation. During last year’s outbreak, fear and disinformation hampered response efforts, prompting the government to now emphasize education around symptoms like fever, rash, and swollen glands. The World Health Organization’s Africa office praised Liberia’s proactive steps, noting that while global cases have declined significantly from their 2022 peak, Africa must remain vigilant to prevent mpox from becoming endemic.

For Liberia, this development comes as the country continues to recover from past battles with Ebola and COVID-19. Strengthening its defenses against another disease reinforces public trust in the health system and protects hard-won gains. Regionally, this coordinated vaccine distribution demonstrates the growing solidarity among African countries and a new model of collective resilience. The response reflects lessons learned from the pandemic era: sharing resources and acting early can change the course of an outbreak.

Experts suggest that if Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Côte d’Ivoire can demonstrate effective vaccine rollout, it may encourage broader implementation in mpox-endemic countries like Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Such collaboration strengthens public health systems not only for mpox but for future threats like Lassa fever or measles.

As the world shifts its attention elsewhere, Africa is showing that it won’t wait to be rescued. Liberia’s vaccine rollout is not just about MPOX it’s about leadership, self-reliance, and building a future where the continent’s health systems are as prepared as any in the world.