By: Mohamed Sahr
In a significant show of regional solidarity, the Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Health, received 75,000 Mpox vaccine doses from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Wednesday, 18th June 2025.
This latest donation, facilitated by the World Health Organization (WHO), marks another important step forward in the fight against Mpox. The vaccines will help to significantly reduce infection rates and work toward achieving zero vaccine-preventable deaths from the virus.
Global vaccine partnerships, supported by preventive measures, continue to play a crucial role in containing Mpox transmission. With this latest donation, Sierra Leone has now received more than 153,000 vaccine doses from international partners, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and now the DRC.
The highly anticipated vaccine shipment is expected to bolster Sierra Leone’s ongoing response to the Mpox outbreak by protecting high-risk groups and curbing further spread of the virus nationwide.
The vaccines were officially received at Freetown International Airport by the Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Hinga Demby, alongside representatives from the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), UNICEF, WHO, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI).
As the Ministry prepares to launch a nationwide vaccination campaign, Dr. Demby urged the public to remain vigilant, practice hand hygiene, and adhere to public health guidelines. He emphasized the government’s commitment to safeguarding public health and highlighted the importance of community education and engagement in improving vaccine acceptance and adherence.
“This achievement represents a significant advancement in our efforts to combat Mpox and reflects our unwavering dedication to protecting public health,” said Minister Demby. “Through united effort and a shared commitment to the nation’s well-being, we will overcome Mpox. It is crucial that everyone takes part in the vaccination campaign to build a healthier future for Sierra Leone.,” Health Minister urged.
Dr. Demby also noted UNICEF’s strong support for the Ministry’s vaccination efforts, both in routine immunization and in outbreak response. He expressed gratitude to all donor partners including WHO, UNICEF, Africa CDC, the Government of the DRC, and other supporting organizations for their instrumental role in procuring and delivering the vaccines.
He said the additional 75,000 doses will strengthen cross-border collaboration with neighboring Liberia by facilitating the exchange of best practices. The ongoing response is being coordinated by a robust Incident Management Team (IMT), bringing together UNICEF, WHO, Africa CDC, and other partners in a united, multi-sectorial effort to contain the outbreak.
Minister Demby acknowledged the vital role of additional resources from partners, UNICEF’s core funding, and the Pandemic Fund a global mechanism for outbreak preparedness in sustaining response efforts. However, he stressed that critical gaps remain in vaccine supply, disease surveillance, case management, and community engagement.
He concluded by reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that children and communities across Sierra Leone receive the protection, care, and accurate information they need to overcome Mpox now and in the future.
