The Democratic Republic of Congo has received its first batch of mpox vaccines, marking a critical step in its battle against a recent outbreak that has put the nation at the center of global health concerns. This development comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency last month, as reported by Al Jazeera.With a population of approximately 100 million, DR Congo is one of the countries hardest hit by the mpox outbreak. Health officials are hopeful that the arrival of the vaccine will help contain the virus, which has already spread to at least 13 African countries, according to a recent update from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on August 27.Congos Health Minister, Samuel Roger Kamba Mulamba, addressed the media about the vaccines efficacy, stating, The newly arrived vaccine has already proven its worth in the United States and will now be rolled out to adults in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He also noted that the provinces of Equateur and South Kivu are among the hardest hit, adding, The goal is to contain the virus as quickly as possible.The mpox vaccines supplied to DR Congo are from Bavarian Nordic, a Danish pharmaceutical company. This vaccine is the only one currently approved for use in Europe and the United States, although it is restricted to adults. Trials are underway to determine its safety for children aged 12 and above.Laurent Muschel, head of the EU Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), confirmed that the initial shipment includes 99,000 doses, with an additional 101,000 doses expected to arrive soon. This demonstrates the solidarity between the European Union and Africa, and our ability to respond swiftly, Muschel said.Since the beginning of the year, DR Congo has reported more than 17,500 mpox cases and 629 related deaths. Both the clade 1b and clade 1a strains of the virus are present in the country, and WHO declared an emergency on August 14 due to a surge in cases of the clade 1b strain.Lindis Hurum from Doctors Without Borders in Goma expressed concern over the viruss rapid spread among humans, particularly in vulnerable populations. “Children under 15, pregnant women, and those living with HIV are at significant risk,” Hurum told Al Jazeera.The country faces logistical challenges in distributing the vaccine, including poor infrastructure and power supplies. Additionally, the vaccine must be stored at minus 20°C to remain effective.
