The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) has launched a vaccination campaign to combat the ongoing mpox outbreak, which has claimed the lives of 859 people this year alone. The mpox outbreak in DR Congo, also known as monkeypox, has been devastating, particularly in North Kivu and other regions.
This viral disease, which causes flu-like symptoms and skin lesions, has been circulating in Congo for years but has surged dramatically in 2024. Congo accounts for 80% of all mpox cases in Africa this year, and the death toll is even more alarming, with nearly 99% of Africa’s mpox fatalities coming from the DRC alone.
In response to this crisis, the country kicked off its vaccination efforts on October 5, 2024, beginning in Goma, a city in the North Kivu province. This region has been particularly hard hit, not only by the virus but also by ongoing armed conflict, which has complicated public health interventions.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the vaccination drive aims to protect frontline healthcare workers and vulnerable populations who are at the highest risk of the infection.
DR Congo Mpox Vaccination Efforts Underway
The DR Congo has received 265,000 doses of the MVA-BN vaccine, donated by the European Union and the United States, to help curb the spread of the disease. This is a vital measure, given the rapid increase in cases and the strain it has placed on the country’s already fragile healthcare infrastructure.
The vaccines are initially being administered to at-risk adults, including healthcare workers, those in contact with confirmed cases, and individuals living in high-transmission areas. However, officials stress that more doses will be needed, particularly for children under 15, who have been disproportionately affected by the disease outbreak.
Health Minister Roger Kamba emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that strategies have been put in place to ensure effective vaccination coverage for priority groups. While these efforts are underway, the country is still facing challenges, including a limited supply of vaccines and logistical hurdles in reaching remote areas.
More than 11 health zones in North Kivu, South Kivu, and other provinces have been identified as high priorities for vaccination.
A Broader Health Crisis
The outbreak in DR Congo is part of a larger health emergency that has spread to other African countries. In August 2024, the WHO declared mpox a global health emergency. While wealthy nations were able to secure vaccines quickly in previous global outbreaks, African countries, including DR Congo, struggled to access sufficient doses.
The WHO has been working closely with Congolese authorities to ramp up vaccination efforts, improve surveillance, and engage communities in preventive measures.
However, challenges remain, especially in regions like North Kivu, where violence and displacement have created conditions conducive to the virus’s spread. WHO representatives have warned of the heightened risk of transmission in crowded displacement camps.
Final Thoughts
The launch of the DR Congo Mpox vaccination is a crucial step in containing the deadly outbreak that has already claimed hundreds of lives.
While the rollout of vaccines provides some hope, more resources and global cooperation will be needed to fully control the outbreak and prevent further loss of life.