West African nations have been inoculating against smallpox for centuries. African, Arab, and Asian communities used this practice for safe trade.
Africans brought smallpox prevention to the Americas before the 18th century. Later, Edward Jenner used these ancient techniques to invent the first vaccine.
This tool became crucial in the 20th-century effort to eradicate smallpox. The virus claimed hundreds of millions of lives before global cooperation stopped it.
Now, West Africa faces a new, related viral disease: mpox. Formerly called monkeypox, mpox has infected over 30,000 Africans in 2024 alone.
Africa helped create vaccines. It now needs them from the rest of the world to fight the mpox crisis.
Why Is There a Global Shortage of Mpox Treatments?
After smallpox was eradicated, vaccine production stopped.This left the world vulnerable to mpox. Many smallpox vaccines also protect against mpox because of their similar genetics.
Now, global vaccine supplies fall short of the mpox outbreak in Africa. In the DRC alone, 10 million vaccines are needed to control the spread. That doesn’t include the 119 other countries where mpox is present.
The first mpox outbreak in decades happened in 2022. Western countries mobilized vaccines quickly. Yet, Africa, where the disease is worst, got its first doses only this year.
Not only are vaccines in short supply, but skills have also been lost. In the DRC, the only mpox vaccine for children uses a skin-scraping method. Other key skills, like sample retrieval and analysis, have faded over time.
What Has Been Done to Address the Global Shortage of Mpox Treatments?
Last month, the WHO approved Jynneos, a smallpox vaccine, to prevent mpox. It requires two doses and prevents 85% of mpox cases. Antiviral drugs can also treat severe symptoms. But the demand far exceeds supply in Africa.
This summer, the US sent 10,000 of the 100,000 vaccines to the DRC. Last month, the US gave Bavarian Nordic $63 million to make another million doses of Jynneos.
Training programs are underway to help African doctors with the skin-scratching method. Japan donated 3 million vaccines to the DRC for this purpose.
Global cooperation is key to preventing a worldwide mpox threat. This year, cases appeared in countries like Sweden, India, and the US.
Efforts to protect the environment are also important. It was once thought that urban settings would stop animal-to-human transmission. Now, as mpox mutates, human-to-human spread is becoming more common. Infectious animals are also entering cities as their habitats decline.
Conclusion
As climate change, urbanization, and population growth continue, mpox becomes a global threat. The African communities that helped create vaccines now need them. The world must unite, as it did with smallpox, to protect itself from this common viral enemy.
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Logan Hamilton is a health and wellness freelance writer for hire. He’s passionate about crafting crystal-clear, captivating, and credible content that elevates brands and establishes trust. When not writing, Logan can be found hiking, sticking his nose in bizarre books, or playing drums in a local rock band. Find him at loganjameshamilton.com.
