Gavi delivers largest shipment yet to DRC in support of international mpox response
May 1, 2025
This week, the Democratic Republic of the Congo will receive 200,000 new mpox vaccine doses from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, bolstering the country’s response to one of the world’s most severe mpox outbreaks. With over 20,000 cases and 49 deaths reported by mid-April 2025, DRC has now received more than 950,000 doses in total. The new shipment will target high-risk regions, especially areas affected by mass displacement. This delivery, part of Gavi’s broader emergency response effort alongside WHO, Africa CDC, and UNICEF, underscores the critical importance of international solidarity in combatting Clade Ib mpox and preserving global public health.
As the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to grapple with the world’s most extensive mpox outbreak, a vital shipment of 200,000 additional vaccine doses is arriving this week from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The delivery raises the country’s total vaccine supply to over 950,000 doses and is part of an urgent international effort to control a fast-moving outbreak that has already claimed 49 lives and infected over 20,000 people by mid-April 2025.
These vaccines will be distributed primarily in the hardest-hit regions, especially where violence and displacement have driven viral spread. “This delivery demonstrates the constant mobilisation of all actors involved in protecting the most vulnerable communities,” said DRC Health Minister Dr. Samuel Roger Kamba. He emphasized the importance of targeting displaced populations and those living in insecure zones.
Mpox Clade Ib, a newly emergent and more transmissible variant, has triggered widespread concern since it emerged in 2024, prompting WHO and Africa CDC to declare concurrent public health emergencies. In response, Gavi rapidly deployed its First Response Fund, signing an advance purchase agreement with vaccine manufacturer Bavarian Nordic to make 500,000 doses of MVA-BN vaccine available. Gavi has also facilitated nearly 250,000 dose donations and allocated over $6.2 million to support country-level immunization campaigns.
Over 647,000 doses have been administered across Africa to date. Gavi’s Managing Director, Dr. Derrick Sim, noted that this rapid response exemplifies the importance of investing in outbreak preparedness. Looking forward, Gavi is seeking $9 billion to fund its 2026–2030 strategic cycle, including the creation of a global mpox vaccine stockpile. This stockpile will be essential to containing future outbreaks swiftly and equitably. The DRC’s experience underscores how early access to vaccines—driven by global coordination—can be decisive in managing emerging health threats.