On Thursday, the acting director of Africa’s leading public health agency expressed hope that vaccine hoarding, as occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, would not occur with the current monkeypox outbreak.

Monkeypox is endemic in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nigeria, and is a typically mild viral infection.

However, it has sparked global concern after more than 200 suspected and confirmed cases of the virus were discovered in at least 19 countries, predominantly in Europe, since early May. So yet, no deaths have been reported.

“Vaccines should go to where they are most needed and fairly,” Ahmed Ogwell Ouma of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said during a press briefing.

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In the past, the World Health Organization has warned wealthier countries against stockpiling COVID-19 vaccines and threatening to cut off supplies to poorer countries with low vaccination rates.

Ogwell Ouma’s remarks come a day after South African disease specialists claimed there was no need for worldwide monkeypox vaccination programmes and that vaccinations for other fatal infections should be prioritised.

In the past, Africa has utilised smallpox vaccines to control monkeypox epidemics, he noted, encouraging the general population to stay away.

“Initially and foremost, health workers on the front lines, followed by affected communities where outbreaks are first identified, and last, the wider public,” Ogwell Ouma added.

“We know how to deal with it… and we’re pleased to share that information, experience, and abilities with countries that are now dealing with monkeypox.”