Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have initiated a vaccination campaign against mpox, nearly two months after the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a global emergency.
The vaccination drive began in the eastern city of Goma, North Kivu province, using some of the 265,000 doses donated by the EU and the US. The region’s hospitals and healthcare workers have been struggling to cope with the new, potentially more contagious strain of mpox.
The DRC has reported approximately 30,000 suspected mpox cases and 859 deaths, accounting for over 80% of Africa’s cases and 99% of deaths attributed to the disease this year. All 26 provinces of the country have recorded mpox cases.
Despite the fact that most infections and fatalities in the DRC have occurred in children under 15, the current vaccine doses are designated for adults. The vaccinations will be provided to high-risk groups and frontline workers, according to the health minister, Roger Kamba.
“Strategies have been put in place by the services to vaccinate all targeted personnel,” said Muboyayi Chikayal, the minister’s chief of staff, during the launch of the vaccination campaign.
Kamba also mentioned that at least three million doses of a vaccine approved for use in children are expected to arrive from Japan in the coming days, which will expand the vaccination efforts to protect younger populations at risk.
The vaccination campaign in the DRC marks a significant step in addressing the ongoing mpox crisis, but challenges remain. Limited healthcare infrastructure, logistical difficulties, and the remote locations of many communities have made it difficult to distribute vaccines effectively. To overcome these hurdles, the government is working closely with international partners, including the World Health Organization and various humanitarian agencies, to ensure the vaccines reach even the most hard-to-reach areas.
The health minister, Roger Kamba, noted that alongside vaccination, efforts to raise public awareness and educate communities about mpox transmission and prevention are being prioritized. “Vaccination alone is not enough. We must also work on changing behaviors and ensuring people understand how to protect themselves,” Kamba emphasized.
The ongoing conflict and displacement in the eastern provinces of the DRC add another layer of complexity to the vaccination drive. Many people in these regions live in crowded camps or makeshift settlements, where the risk of disease spread is heightened. As a result, health authorities are focusing their efforts on these vulnerable populations to prevent further outbreaks.
International health organizations have praised the DRC’s swift response but have also called for more support. With the anticipated arrival of additional vaccine doses from Japan, the DRC will soon be able to expand its vaccination campaign to include children and broader segments of the population. This expanded coverage is expected to curb the transmission of the virus more effectively and reduce the number of new cases.
Kamba urged the international community to continue providing resources and expertise to strengthen the DRC’s health system, highlighting that the lessons learned from combating mpox could be applied to future outbreaks of other infectious diseases. “Our fight against mpox is not just about stopping this disease; it’s about building a stronger health system that can withstand any health emergency,” he stated.
The vaccination campaign will continue to be rolled out in phases over the coming months, with authorities monitoring the situation closely and adjusting their strategies as needed.
 have initiated a vaccination campaign against mpox){kind=link}