Yellow Fever Epidemic News and Updates: Vaccine Shortage Looms Because of Length of Production
WHO is currently looking for ways to solve the Vaccine Scarcity as it poses big threats in the Yellow Fever Epidemic
News on the Yellow Fever outbreak affirms death toll rise in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola. It has been reported that there are already 400 counts of death and thousands are getting ill of the same infectious disease.
As of press time, there are still no cure of the virus. However, the vaccine has been very instrumental in putting a halt to the fever's harmful effects to other populations. Those who are diagnosed with yellow fever first picks up a severe infection named jaundice, or the yellowing of one's skin, eyes and mucus membranes. 20 to 50 percent of the people who got infected with this severe condition went very ill and died.
Just last month, the World Health Organization announced the Yellow Fever vaccine's shortage and revealed that they need nine million doses more.
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Africa demands more Yellow Fever vaccines
Reports from the Associated Press verifies the shortage, stating that health officers found it hard to obtain the vaccine as it requires six months of production time and needs massive amounts of chicken eggs.
Only four companies supply the kind of vaccine which can prevent the yellow fever. The scarcity of refrigeration material is also one of the biggest factors which causes the decrease of vaccine supply. WHO reports that there were 6 million doses for emergency use per annual. However, the massive stock depleted twice since February.
The Solution: Fractional Dosing
Owing to the present condition, only 60 percent of Africa's population is immune for a given period of time. Most of them did not get the entirety of the vaccine shot as they are only given fifteen to twenty percent of the dose. Experts say, this can protect the individual for at least 12 months. The World Health Organization approved the lower doses of the vaccine after reports of tremendous emergencies.
However, the International Health Regulations (IHR) requires full dosage shot to frequent travelers, especially to persons whose jobs require traversing the severely-affected Africa area.
WHO also formed a response strategy to better handle the outbreak's monitoring in five areas such as vector control, case management, social mobilization & risk communication, surveillance & risk assessment and vaccination.
The infection can be acquired from a single mosquito bite. Over 34 countries in Africa is affected by the yellow fever endemic. However, a single dose of the vaccine can protect individuals of Africa's populace.
