The first batch of mpox vaccine has arrived in Congo's capital, Kinshasa, marking a significant step in the fight against the recent mpox outbreaks in Africa. The World Health Organization declared mpox outbreaks in 12 African countries a global emergency, prompting swift action to address the situation.
The 100,000 doses of the MVA-BN vaccine, produced by Danish company Bavarian Nordic, were donated by the European Union through HERA, the bloc's agency for health emergencies. An additional 100,000 doses are expected to be delivered on Saturday, further bolstering the vaccination efforts in Congo.
UNICEF will spearhead the vaccination campaign in the most affected provinces, as confirmed by Congo's Health Minister. However, the exact commencement date of the vaccination drive remains uncertain at this time.
Western partners, including the European Union and the United States, have pledged a total of 380,000 doses of mpox vaccines to support the containment efforts. This falls short of the 3 million doses deemed necessary to effectively curb the mpox outbreaks in Congo, which serves as the epicenter of the global health emergency.
Dr. Dimie Ogoina, the chair of WHO's mpox emergency committee, highlighted that mpox, also known as monkeypox, had been spreading largely unnoticed in Africa for years before the 2022 outbreak that has now affected over 70 countries. The arrival of the initial vaccine supply signifies a crucial milestone in the ongoing battle against this infectious disease.
