MPOX TRACKER

A shipment of 200,000 mpox vaccine doses, donated by Canada and facilitated by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has arrived in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This donation, delivered through the Access and Allocation Mechanism, underscores global efforts to contain the ongoing mpox outbreak in Africa. The DRC, the epicenter of the epidemic, has recorded more than 19,800 confirmed cases across 21 affected countries.

Canada’s Minister of International Development, Ahmed Hussen, emphasized the importance of vaccines in mitigating the spread of mpox and reaffirmed Canada’s commitment with an additional $1 million in support of WHO’s regional response. The DRC’s Minister of Health, Samuel Roger Kamba, welcomed the vaccines as a vital tool in protecting vulnerable populations and preventing further spread.

Since WHO and Africa CDC declared mpox a global and continental public health emergency in August 2024, Gavi has played a central role in securing vaccine access. In September, it leveraged its First Response Fund to secure 500,000 MVA-BN vaccine doses, with initial shipments reaching the Central African Republic, Liberia, and Rwanda. To date, Gavi has facilitated the donation of over 1.2 million mpox vaccines worldwide.

Beyond vaccine procurement, Gavi is providing financial support for in-country distribution, including $2.7 million to the DRC and $1.5 million to Rwanda. This funding will ensure effective administration and rollout of vaccines to high-risk populations. With coordinated efforts between global health agencies and national governments, these vaccines represent a crucial step in curbing the outbreak and strengthening Africa’s long-term preparedness against future public health threats.