The Democratic Republic of Congo has officially begun its vaccination campaign against mpox, launching operations in Goma, a city in the eastern part of the country.Â
This initiative comes as the DRC continues to grapple with a severe Mpox outbreak that has persisted for over a year.
Initially set to commence last Wednesday, the launch faced a three-day delay due to logistical challenges related to vaccine distribution in the country, which suffers from significant infrastructure issues.
The first doses were administered to healthcare workers, with plans to extend the vaccination effort to the general population starting Monday.
Health officials have mobilized resources, setting up large tents for vaccine administration and raising awareness with banners promoting the message that Mpox is a serious health concern.
Currently, the DRC has received 265,000 doses of the vaccine, including contributions from the United States and the European Union, but is anticipating additional supplies promised by France, Japan, and the U.S.
Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba noted that the campaign will not be a mass vaccination drive. Instead, it aims to focus on high-risk groups, such as medical personnel and individuals with preexisting health conditions.
The existing vaccines, manufactured by Bavarian Nordic, are approved only for adults, leading the DRC to seek further options for vaccinating children, including negotiations with Japan for three million additional doses.
President Biden has pledged one million doses to African nations as part of a $500 million commitment to support Mpox prevention and response efforts.
 In addition, the World Health Organization has approved a new diagnostic test for Mpox and has promised to deliver 4,500 of these tests to the DRC.
Mpox, which was first identified in humans in 1970 in what is now the DRC, can lead to severe symptoms including rashes, fever, and lethargy, and has resulted in 988 deaths this year, primarily among children under five.
 The disease remains a significant health threat across 16 African countries as efforts to curb its spread continue.
