In a crucial move to combat the escalating mpox outbreak, authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have launched the country's first vaccination campaign against the virus, which has claimed the lives of 859 people this year. With more than 30,000 suspected cases, the DRC remains the epicenter of the outbreak, accounting for 80% of Africa's total cases. The outbreak has put immense pressure on the nation's health system, especially in regions like North Kivu, where medical staff have been grappling with an overwhelming number of patients.
The vaccination drive, which began in the eastern city of Goma, is an effort to curb the spread of a new, more infectious strain of mpox that has also impacted several other African nations. The DRC's Health Minister, Roger Kamba, emphasized the critical nature of the campaign, explaining that the initial doses are being directed toward at-risk populations and frontline healthcare workers. "Strategies have been put in place by the services in order to vaccinate all targeted personnel," said Muboyayi Chikayal, Kamba's chief of staff, at the launch of the vaccination program.
The country has received 265,000 doses of the vaccine, donated by the European Union and the United States. While this marks a significant step forward in the DRC's fight against the disease, the scope of the vaccination campaign remains limited due to a shortage of resources. The Health Ministry has acknowledged the constrained supply, noting that while these doses will be used to inoculate high-risk adults, more vaccines are needed, particularly for children under 15, who have been disproportionately affected by the virus.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, typically causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions on the body. It is generally mild, but in rare cases, it can be fatal. The outbreak in the DRC has been particularly severe, and nearly all of the country's 26 provinces have reported cases. The strain circulating in the DRC appears to be more infectious than previous variants, raising alarms not only within the country but across the African continent.
Despite the introduction of vaccines, there is still a significant gap in access between African nations and wealthier countries. In 2022, during a global mpox outbreak, vaccines were widely available in Europe and the United States, while African nations, including the DRC, struggled to secure doses. This disparity in vaccine access has led to calls for more equitable distribution, particularly as the WHO declared the current outbreak a public health emergency of international concern in August, following the identification of a new mpox variant.
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organization's Africa director, highlighted the significance of the DRC's vaccination efforts. "The rollout of the vaccine marks an important step in limiting the spread of the virus and ensuring the safety of families and communities," she said in a statement. However, health officials caution that the limited number of available doses is only the beginning of what will need to be a sustained effort to control the outbreak.
While adults are currently being prioritized for vaccination, the country expects to receive an additional 3 million doses from Japan, specifically for use in children. Health Minister Kamba noted that these doses would be critical in preventing further fatalities among children, who make up the majority of mpox-related deaths in the DRC.
The DRC has faced numerous public health challenges over the years, including regular outbreaks of Ebola. This new vaccination campaign adds another layer to the nation's ongoing efforts to manage infectious diseases. In Goma, where the vaccination campaign was inaugurated, health workers were the first to receive the shots. They have been on the frontlines of the crisis, often operating in overstretched hospitals while trying to manage the influx of patients.
