By Belize Live News Staff: As mpox cases continue to emerge globally, Belize faces a critical challenge: the absence of mpox vaccines within the country. Dr. Russell Manzanero, Director of Epidemiology at the Ministry of Health and Wellness, confirmed the lack of vaccine availability, highlighting the need for heightened surveillance and collaboration with international organizations.
“We did not have the vaccines for mpox here,” stated Dr. Manzanero, emphasizing the reliance on enhanced surveillance within VCT clinics and medical providers to identify potential cases.
While acknowledging the limited global supply of mpox vaccines, Dr. Manzanero expressed confidence that the Ministry is actively exploring options for acquiring vaccines in partnership with PAHO and WHO. However, he noted that priority will likely be given to controlling outbreaks in Africa before vaccines become widely available elsewhere.
As the mpox outbreak evolves, the need for a comprehensive and coordinated global response, including equitable vaccine distribution, becomes increasingly urgent.
