DR Congo Launches Mpox Vaccination Campaign

In a bid to combat a continuing mpox epidemic, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially launched a vaccination campaign in the eastern city of Goma, with the first vaccinations administered on Saturday. The initiative, originally scheduled for last Wednesday, faced a three-day delay due to logistical challenges in distributing the vaccines across the country, which struggles with inadequate infrastructure.

Targeting Healthcare Professionals First

Healthcare professionals were the first to receive shots under the campaign, which will begin targeting the general population this Monday. The current outbreak has been raging for a year, taking a devastating toll on communities. Jeannine Muhavi, one of the first vaccinated, expressed her desire for protection, stating, "As a doctor, I'm on the front line and in constant contact with those who are sick... I want to protect myself."

Local Initiatives for Vaccination

To facilitate the vaccination process, local health officials and NGOs quickly organized setups in large tents, spreading awareness with banners proclaiming that "mpox exists." Currently, DRC has received 265,000 doses of mpox vaccine, including notable contributions from the United States and the European Union. However, the nation is still waiting for millions more doses promised by France, Japan, and the US, as health authorities emphasize the need for a more robust vaccination supply.

Alarming Statistics Reported

The situation has been alarming; since the year began, over 30,000 cases of mpox have been recorded in the DRC, with 988 resulting in fatalities. Disturbingly, 70% of these deaths have been among children under five years old. Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba has warned that, with a population of 100 million, the existing 265,000 doses will not suffice, stressing that the focus will be on high-risk groups, including individuals with pre-existing health conditions and healthcare workers.

Vaccine Supply Challenges

Currently, the vaccine doses available—manufactured by Danish company Bavarian Nordic—are approved only for adults. However, talks are underway to secure additional supplies from Japan, which has developed a vaccine suitable for both adults and children. Japan has committed to sending three million doses as part of these negotiations.

US Assistance and WHO Support

Furthermore, President Joe Biden recently announced that the US intends to donate one million doses of the mpox vaccine to African nations. At a UN General Assembly meeting, he stated, "We are ready to commit $500 million to help African countries prevent and respond to mpox and to donate one million doses of mpox vaccine, now."

WHO Introduces Diagnostic Test

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced the first diagnostic test for mpox, allowing for detection from samples taken from human lesions. The WHO has pledged approximately 4,500 tests for the DRC, although the delivery date remains uncertain.

Background on Mpox

Mpox, originally termed monkeypox, was first identified in 1958 in Denmark among research monkeys and detected in humans in 1970 in the area now known as DRC. The disease can cause extreme discomfort including painful rashes, fever, and fatigue, and can be fatal in severe cases. This year, mpox has spread to 16 African countries, and it gained global attention in May 2022 when a new strain, clade 2b, began to circulate internationally, primarily affecting gay and bisexual men. The WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in June 2022, underscoring the ongoing risks posed by the virus.

Urgent Need for Expanded Access

As the DR Congo works tirelessly to roll out its vaccination campaign, the urgency for expanded access to vaccines and healthcare resources has never been clearer.