By Ibrahim Sorie Koroma.
Sierra Leone successfully administered the first dose of the Mpox vaccine to 133,710 people through two rounds of proactive vaccination campaigns, according to the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) of the Ministry of Health. This effort demonstrates the country’s commitment to combating the Mpox outbreak, which was declared after the first confirmed case in February 2025.
According to vaccination data, males account for 52% of those vaccinated, totalling 69,529. Females account for 48%, with 64,181 individuals receiving the vaccine. Notably, the majority of vaccinated people—77%, or 102,957—are between the ages of 20 and 49 years. This demographic includes healthcare workers, known contacts of Mpox cases, and other high-risk groups that are especially susceptible to the disease.
The EPI Programme has reported encouraging vaccination coverage, particularly in the Western Area Urban, which remains the hotspot for confirmed Mpox cases. In contrast, Bonthe District had the lowest vaccination rates. Given the recent increase in Mpox cases, health officials emphasise the importance of reactive vaccination as a key strategy for mitigating transmission. Recent weeks have yielded promising results, with a significant reduction in both disease incidence and prevalence.
Since the outbreak declaration, the Ministry of Health has actively sought vaccine support from the Global Alliance for Vaccine Initiatives (GAVI), which resulted in the launch of a national vaccination campaign in March 2025. Sierra Leone has received 153,300 doses of the Mpox vaccine, including 58,300 from GAVI, 20,000 from the UAE, and 75,000 from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Furthermore, the country will receive an additional 20,000 doses to support its efforts to break the chain of Mpox transmission.
