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Health department spokesperson Foster Mohale said the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority authorised the importation of the vaccine through a Section 21 process
Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
- Around 10 500 mpox vaccines will be rolled out, the Department of Health has said.
- The vaccines have been supplied by the Africa Centres for Disease Control.
- The rollout comes amid an increase in cases in Gauteng and the Western Cape.
The Department of Health is rolling out vaccinations against Mpox, amid a rise in cases.
The vaccinations will target the most affected provinces: Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
The department received 10 500 doses of the mpox vaccine, Imvanex, as a donation from the Africa Centres for Disease Control to combat outbreaks on the continent.
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) authorised the importation of the vaccine through a Section 21 process, which covers the sale and use of medicines not yet registered in South Africa, said department spokesperson Foster Mohale.
The rollout comes after two laboratory-confirmed cases were recorded in Gauteng and the Western Cape. The cumulative number of confirmed cases recorded this year is now 10.
READ | Three new mpox cases detected in Ekurhuleni
The two new cases include a 32-year-old from Cape Town and a 45-year-old from Johannesburg. Both of them had no travel history, said Mohale.
“Vaccination helps to control the spread of this preventable and manageable disease, with vaccinated individuals being protected from becoming infected and from developing severe complications. Vaccination can be accessed at some public health facilities, travel clinics, and private providers in the above-mentioned provinces,” he added.
Mohale urged the public to be “extra vigilant of mpox symptoms” and to consult their nearest health facility about vaccinations if they suspect they are at risk of mpox infection.
“Priority will be given to people at a higher risk of contracting the virus, including those who came into close contact with people who tested positive, people with multiple sexual partners and travellers going to areas where there is an outbreak of mpox. Where indicated, vaccination will be offered to pregnant women and children older than two years,” he said.
He added that the National Control Laboratory had tested the vaccine to establish its safety and efficacy before its release on the South African market, and that it was found to be safe.
Mohale said:
As with any vaccine, some people may experience mild to moderate side effects after being vaccinated. This is a normal sign that the body is developing some level of immunity to prevent the severity of the disease if infected.
“Several countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Uganda, the United States, Canada and European countries, have utilised the mpox vaccine to control the spread of the disease,”
Common side effects that might be experienced following immunisation include pain, redness, swelling and itching at the injection site; muscle pain; headache; nausea; and fever. However, most side effects disappear on their own within a few days without treatment.
These side effects can be managed by having enough rest, staying hydrated and taking medication to manage pain, if needed.
Mohale said the number of mpox vaccine doses allocated to South Africa was limited, and quantities would be issued in a phased approach, prioritising outbreak hotspots, and based on vaccine availability.
READ | Mpox outbreak: New variant, local transmission sparks concern among Gauteng health officials
In March, health authorities said an outbreak of mpox cases in Gauteng was being driven by a new variant, and healthcare officials say they are concerned by signs that there could be a local transmission of the virus.
News24 previously reported that, in February and March, seven cases were confirmed in Gauteng in two distinct clusters. While the first cluster could be traced to a patient with an international travel history, the second cluster showed no travel history or links to the first patient.
The World Health Organisation’s epidemic, preparedness and response team leader, Dr Joseph Wamala, added that more than 130 000 cases, with 300 deaths, had been reported across 131 countries.
In February alone, 3 000 new cases were reported, with the majority of those from Africa. While this represents a month-on-month decrease of 18%, the drop could be due to conflict in the DRC disrupting testing, as well as the cancellation of funding to African countries.
