The National Department of Health has announced a vaccination drive against Mpox disease, as the number of laboratory-confirmed cases is gradually increasing in the country.
Two new laboratory-confirmed cases were recently recorded –
one in Gauteng and one in the Western Cape.
These cases involve a 32-year-old from Cape Town and a 45-year-old from
Johannesburg, and both individuals have no history of travel. This brings to 10
the total number of confirmed cases since the beginning of 2025.
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PICTURE: NICDAccording to the department, the vaccination programme will
primarily target the provinces most affected, which currently include Gauteng,
Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal.
“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,” the statement
read.
The department said vaccination can be accessed at some
public health facilities, travel clinics and a few private providers in the
selected provinces.
Meanwhile, the department has urged people to be vigilant
about the symptoms of Mpox. Those who suspect they may be at risk of Mpox
infection are advised to consult their nearest health facility or healthcare
provider for screening and testing. They should also enquire about their
eligibility for this life-saving vaccination.
“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.”
The department received approximately 10 500 doses of the
mpox vaccine, Imvanex, as a donation from the Africa Centres for Disease
Control. The National Control Laboratory tested Imvanex samples to establish
the vaccine’s safety and efficacy before its release to the South African
market
“The vaccine was found to be safe and is well tolerated in
most people. As with any vaccine, some individuals may experience mild to
moderate side effects after vaccination. This is a normal sign that the body is
developing some level of immunity to prevent the severity of the disease if
infected," the department said.
Done By: Mitchum George
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