By Emma Black

Sierra Leone has taken a major step in its fight against Mpox, launching a nationwide vaccination campaign to curb the spread of the virus. This comes two months after the government declared Mpox a public health emergency following the detection of two cases in the Western Area Urban and Rural districts. With support from international partners, the country has now received 61,300 doses of the MVA-BN Mpox vaccine, marking a milestone in its public health response.
The vaccine rollout in Sierra Leone has been made possible through a collaboration between the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other global health stakeholders. The funding and logistical support have been provided by these organizations to ensure that the vaccines reach the most vulnerable populations.
Gavi, a key player in global immunization efforts, has helped immunize over 1 billion children since its inception in 2000 and has prevented more than 17.3 million deaths worldwide. This partnership underscores Sierra Leone’s commitment to tackling infectious diseases while strengthening its healthcare infrastructure.
Minister of Health Dr. Austin Demby officially launched the vaccination campaign on March 27, 2025, at an event in Freetown. He emphasized the importance of the vaccine as an “important tool” in complementing existing public health measures such as surveillance and public education.
Frontline healthcare workers who are at the highest risk of exposure, Security personnel who interact with the public daily, Communities in outbreak-prone areas where cases have been identified. Individuals aged 12 and older, as recommended by health experts.
Dr. Desmond Kangbai, Manager of the Expanded Programme on Immunization, highlighted that the vaccine supply is limited, requiring a strategic phased distribution approach. The first doses will be administered in the Western Area before expanding to other regions.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease that presents with fever, headaches, and painful skin lesions. It spreads through close physical contact, including sexual transmission, and can have severe complications, especially in vulnerable groups such as children and immunocompromised individuals.
Sierra Leone’s outbreak comes amid a broader Mpox crisis in Africa. The Africa CDC has reported 7,983 cases and 49 fatalities across 23 African countries in 2025 alone. The Central African region remains the epicenter, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Burundi being the most affected.
Sierra Leone has a history of managing infectious disease outbreaks, including the 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic. These experiences have strengthened the country’s health system and response capacity, positioning it to effectively handle the current Mpox outbreak.
“We have learned valuable lessons from past outbreaks,” said Prof. Foday Sahr, Executive Director of the National Public Health Agency (NPHA). “Our health professionals are trained and prepared to tackle Mpox head-on, and this vaccine rollout is a testament to our readiness.”
The government has outlined key measures to contain the outbreak, including:
A nationwide public awareness campaign to educate communities about Mpox symptoms and prevention, and strengthening border surveillance to detect and isolate new cases, and expanding testing capabilities for early diagnosis and response, and enhancing infection prevention and control protocols in healthcare facilities.
During the vaccine handover at Freetown International Airport, representatives from WHO, UNICEF, and Africa CDC commended Sierra Leone’s proactive response, Dr. George Ameh, WHO Representative to Sierra Leone, stressed that vaccination alone is not enough: “Public education, hygiene measures, and strong disease surveillance are essential to maximize the impact of the vaccine.”
Evans Mosonik, speaking on behalf of Africa CDC, reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to providing technical assistance to Sierra Leone. “This vaccination campaign is a critical step in breaking the chain of Mpox transmission,” he said.
The vaccination campaign has been met with optimism among the public and healthcare workers. Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, CEO of FOCUS 1000, emphasized that vaccination has historically played a vital role in eradicating diseases such as smallpox and controlling polio. “We will do everything possible to break the chain of Mpox transmission in Sierra Leone,” he assured.
With continued collaboration between the government, health agencies, and international partners, Sierra Leone is taking decisive steps to contain the outbreak and protect its population. As the vaccination drive expands, public health officials remain vigilant, urging citizens to adhere to safety guidelines and seek medical care if symptoms arise.
The road ahead remains challenging, but with a strategic vaccine rollout and robust public health measures, Sierra Leone is poised to turn the tide against Mpox and strengthen its healthcare resilience for the future.