- Congo begins mpox vaccinations, receiving 265,000 doses from the EU and U.S.
- Over 30,000 suspected cases and 859 deaths reported, primarily affecting children.
- 3 million doses for children expected from Japan as outbreaks spread across Africa.
Congo has initiated a critical vaccination campaign to curb the spread of mpox after a severe outbreak was declared a global emergency.
The vaccination drive started in Goma, where healthcare workers have been stretched thin due to the increasing number of infections.
Urgent Mpox Vaccination Effort Launched in Congo as Cases Soar
Mpox has been largely undetected in Africa for years, but the 2022 global outbreak brought renewed attention to the virus. While wealthy nations responded rapidly with vaccines, African countries like Congo faced delays. Unlike the earlier global outbreak, where mpox predominantly affected gay and bisexual men, the current spread in Africa is affecting a broader range of vulnerable populations, including children and pregnant women. This shift highlights the urgency of equitable vaccine distribution across the continent.
The outbreak in Congo represents over 80% of Africa’s mpox cases this year. Health authorities are facing immense pressure to contain the virus, as hospitals are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of cases. Despite significant deaths in children, vaccines for this age group remain scarce, though Japan has committed to supplying 3 million doses specifically for children in the near future.
Mpox had long been endemic in certain African regions but gained global attention during the 2022 outbreak. In wealthier nations, vaccines were rapidly deployed, while Africa struggled with limited access. Now, Congo and other African nations are making progress in securing doses, but the need for more widespread vaccination remains critical to control the disease.
A key difference between the 2022 outbreak and the current spread in Africa is the demographic shift in those affected. Initially concentrated in gay and bisexual men, mpox in Africa has now spread via close contact, impacting children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups. This makes the vaccine rollout all the more urgent in Congo, where health systems are already burdened by other diseases.
As Congo intensifies its vaccination efforts, the success of the campaign will depend heavily on the timely arrival of more vaccines, especially for children, and continued international support to halt the spread of mpox across Africa.
“Global solidarity means that no region, especially one that has been hardest hit, should be left behind when it comes to access to vaccines.” — Dr. Dimie Ogoina
