DRC begins long-awaited mpox vaccination campaign to curb outbreak

GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo – After facing logistical delays, the DRC has launched a crucial vaccination campaign to fight the surge in mpox cases, providing hope for controlling the outbreak. With 265,000 doses donated by the European Union and the United States, health workers have started administering the vaccine in Goma and the North Kivu province.

The DRC has reported approximately 30,000 mpox cases this year, making up over 80% of all infections on the African continent, alongside 850 deaths. The vaccination effort aims to alleviate the burden on healthcare systems in regions like North Kivu, which have been struggling to contain the virus.

Mpox, caused by a virus in the same family as smallpox, spreads through close human contact. The current outbreak in the DRC involves a new strain, clade 1b, which is more severe than the strain that caused a public health emergency in 2022. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak in the DRC a global health emergency in August.

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Despite the challenges posed by the spread of this more dangerous strain, the launch of the vaccination campaign signals progress. Congolese health authorities are hopeful that with widespread vaccine distribution, they will be able to reduce the number of cases and prevent further deaths.

Beyond Africa, the outbreak has also led to a small number of mpox cases being recorded in countries such as Sweden and Pakistan. Nonetheless, the focus remains on containing the virus within the DRC, where the majority of infections and fatalities have occurred.

The initiation of vaccinations marks a turning point in the battle against mpox, as the country works towards better protecting its citizens and preventing further spread.