Congo Begins First Mpox Vaccination Drive

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) launched its inaugural mpox vaccination campaign on Saturday, a critical move in addressing the country’s severe outbreak. The DRC, which has reported nearly 1,000 fatalities and over 30,000 cases, is the epicenter of the virus’s spread in Africa, where 34,000 cases have been recorded this year.

Goma, an eastern DRC city where the outbreak began last year, saw the first phase of vaccinations. Priority was given to frontline medical staff, with Dr. Jeannine Muhavi emphasizing the importance of protecting healthcare workers who face constant virus exposure.

The campaign faced delays due to logistical challenges related to Congo’s poor infrastructure. Initially planned for Wednesday, it was postponed to Saturday when vaccines finally arrived. Large tents now serve as vaccination sites, targeting high-risk individuals.

The U.S. and European Union donated 265,000 vaccine doses to Congo, currently prioritized for adults with pre-existing health conditions. Health Minister Roger Kamba clarified that it won’t be a mass vaccination campaign due to limited resources.

The general public in eastern regions, where the outbreak is most severe, will have access to vaccines starting next week. However, the current doses are only suitable for adults, with millions more expected soon for children and other vulnerable groups, courtesy of countries like France, Japan, and the U.S.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, causes flu-like symptoms and painful skin rashes. Africa has been hit hardest by the mpox crisis this year, with 988 deaths, 70% of which were children under five. The DRC accounts for over 80% of mpox cases on the continent.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern in August after identifying a new virus variant. They recently approved the first diagnostic test for mpox, further supporting Congo’s outbreak management efforts.

A significant challenge for Congo and other African countries is the disparity in vaccine access. While Europe and the U.S. quickly deployed mpox vaccines during the 2022 global outbreak, African nations struggled to obtain doses. Congo, with its 99 million population, is among the few African countries now receiving vaccines.

By December, Africa is expected to receive only 5.9 million mpox vaccine doses, far short of what’s needed for its 1.4 billion people. This slow rollout has allowed the virus to continue spreading, particularly among vulnerable populations.

As Congo initiates its mpox vaccination drive, authorities are optimistic that incoming vaccines will help contain the outbreak. Health officials remain focused on vaccinating the most vulnerable and managing limited resources.

While the fight against mpox continues, this initial step offers hope for improved protection and reduced fatalities as Congo grapples with the ongoing crisis.