Mpox vaccination begins in DRC after 859 die this year
October 5, 2024
The Democratic Republic of Congo has initiated its mpox vaccination program, addressing a severe outbreak that has strained healthcare systems, particularly in North Kivu province. With 265,000 doses donated by the EU and US, the campaign targets adults in high-risk groups and frontline workers. The DRC, accounting for over 80% of African cases and 99% of deaths, faces a potentially more infectious strain. All 26 provinces report cases, with children under 15 most affected. However, current vaccines are for adults only, with child-approved doses expected soon from Japan, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive vaccination strategies.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has taken a significant step in combating the mpox outbreak by launching its vaccination program. This initiative comes nearly two months after the World Health Organization declared the disease a global emergency, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
The vaccination campaign, which began in the eastern city of Goma in North Kivu province, utilizes doses from a total of 265,000 vaccines donated by the European Union and the United States. This region has been particularly hard-hit, with hospitals and healthcare workers struggling to contain a potentially more infectious strain of mpox.
The scale of the outbreak in the DRC is staggering. With approximately 30,000 suspected cases and 859 deaths, the country accounts for over 80% of all cases and 99% of all deaths reported in Africa this year. The virus has spread to all 26 provinces of the DRC, indicating the widespread nature of the outbreak.
A concerning aspect of this outbreak is its impact on children. While the majority of infections and deaths in the DRC are among children under 15, the current vaccination effort is focused on adults, particularly those in high-risk populations and frontline workers. This highlights a critical gap in the response strategy, which health authorities are working to address.
Health Minister Roger Kamba has announced that about 3 million doses of a vaccine approved for use in children are expected to arrive from Japan in the coming days. This development is crucial for implementing a more comprehensive vaccination strategy that can protect the most vulnerable population.
The launch of this vaccination campaign represents a pivotal moment in the DRC's fight against mpox. However, it also underscores the challenges of responding to infectious disease outbreaks in resource-limited settings and the importance of international cooperation in addressing global health emergencies.