Congo has commenced vaccinations against mpox, nearly two months after the disease outbreak was declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization and spread from Congo to other African countries and beyond. The Congolese authorities initiated the vaccination campaign on Saturday, administering the 265,000 doses donated by the European Union and the U.S. in the eastern city of Goma in North Kivu province. The health facilities and workers in the area have been overwhelmed, battling to control the new and potentially more contagious strain of mpox.
With approximately 30,000 suspected mpox cases and 859 deaths in Congo alone, the country has accounted for over 80% of all the cases and 99% of all the deaths reported in Africa this year. All 26 provinces in Congo have confirmed mpox cases. Though the majority of mpox infections and fatalities in Congo have been in children under the age of 15, the vaccination doses currently being administered are targeted at adults in at-risk populations and frontline workers, according to Health Minister Roger Kamba.
Muboyayi ChikayaI, the minister’s chief of staff, mentioned that strategies have been established to ensure the vaccination of all identified personnel. The Health Minister indicated that an additional 3 million doses of the approved vaccine for children are anticipated from Japan in the near future. This concerted effort aims to contain the spread of mpox and protect vulnerable populations in Congo amidst the ongoing global emergency declaration.
The vaccination campaign in Congo marks a significant step in curbing the outbreak and preventing further transmission of the disease within and beyond its borders. As health workers continue to tackle the challenges posed by the mpox outbreak, the international community’s support and cooperation remain crucial in combating this public health crisis.