How the mpox vaccine has changed lives – and minds – in Kinshasa
November 10, 2025
In Kinshasa, where the memory of mpox’s devastating peak remains vivid, a year-long vaccination campaign has transformed fear into trust. Despite logistical hurdles and limited supplies, more than 450,000 people have been immunized, thanks to collaboration between the Ministry of Health, WHO, Gavi, and community health workers. Survivors’ testimonies and visible proof of the vaccine’s effectiveness have shifted public attitudes, strengthening confidence not only in mpox prevention but in vaccination overall. Kinshasa’s response demonstrates how determination, community engagement, and transparent communication can turn crisis into resilience, creating a stronger foundation for public health and future outbreak preparedness.
In Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the scars of the mpox epidemic run deep. Streets that once echoed with fear and suffering now tell a story of recovery and quiet determination. Over the past year, a nationwide vaccination effort, launched in November 2024 and supported by WHO, Gavi, MSF, UNICEF, and the Ministry of Health, has vaccinated more than 450,000 people across the city.
Health workers, like nurse Adelon Kweyinatabia Mondo, faced numerous challenges, including shortages of vaccines, megaphones, and even basic supplies. Yet communities responded with overwhelming participation. Many had seen the toll of mpox firsthand and embraced the vaccine as a shield against renewed suffering. Survivors, including those like young entrepreneur Djack Efomi, who witnessed death and stigma during his illness, became living reminders of what was at stake. Their voices have become powerful advocates for vaccination and community awareness.
This campaign has done more than deliver doses; it has reshaped public perception. In neighborhoods like Mont-Ngafula, even clinics that did not distribute mpox vaccines report renewed trust in public health and improved hygiene practices. Residents no longer see vaccination with suspicion but as a vital act of protection.
Still, challenges remain. Vaccine shortages, weak logistics, and the need for sustained coordination continue to test the system. The Expanded Programme on Immunization’s current strategy focuses on booster doses and continued protection for healthcare workers, underscoring the need for long-term vigilance.
Kinshasa’s experience highlights the profound link between health systems and community trust. Through partnership, persistence, and compassion, fear has given way to resilience. The mpox vaccination campaign stands as both a public health milestone and a testament to human endurance, showing that even in hardship, collective action can rebuild confidence and save lives.