Kinshasa, September 5, 2024 – The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has received its first consignment of mpox vaccines, a significant step in combating the ongoing health crisis that has gripped the region. The 100,000 doses of the MVA-BN vaccine, developed by the Danish company Bavarian Nordic, were donated by the European Union through HERA, its agency for health emergencies. This delivery comes three weeks after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox outbreaks across 12 African countries a global health emergency.
EU Commission spokesperson Stefan de Keersmaecker confirmed that this is the first of two shipments, with another 100,000 doses expected in the coming days. “These deliveries are part of the 215,000 vaccine doses that the European Commission, through HERA, has procured and pledged to share with affected countries in Africa,” de Keersmaecker stated.
The vaccines are being distributed as part of a broader international effort to curb the spread of mpox in Africa, where the DRC has been the epicenter of the outbreak. UNICEF is set to spearhead the vaccination campaign in the hardest-hit provinces, according to Congo’s Health Minister Roger Kamba. However, the timeline for the vaccination drive remains uncertain.
Last week, Dr. Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, reported that Western partners, including the European Union and the United States, have pledged approximately 380,000 doses of mpox vaccines to African nations. Despite this, the quantity falls short of the three million doses that DRC authorities have identified as necessary to effectively combat the outbreak.
The mpox crisis in Africa has escalated rapidly, with over 22,800 cases and 622 deaths reported across the continent. The DRC, where a new mpox variant was first detected, has been the hardest hit, with most infections occurring in children under 15. Last week alone, the continent saw a 200% surge in mpox cases.
The MVA-BN vaccine, which has already been deployed in Europe and the United States, is currently authorized for use in adults. The European Medicines Agency is reviewing data to extend its use to children aged 12 to 17, with a decision expected by the end of the month.
In addition to the EU’s contribution, the United States recently donated 10,000 doses of mpox vaccines to Nigeria, marking the first known donation to Africa since the current outbreaks began. Nigeria has reported 40 cases of the virus this year, according to the country’s CDC.
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, has been spreading largely undetected in Africa for years before a global outbreak in 2022 brought the disease to the attention of the international community. The 2022 outbreak affected more than 70 countries, prompting a swift response from wealthy nations, including stockpiling vaccines and treatments. However, African nations have struggled to secure adequate vaccine supplies despite ongoing appeals for support.
As the DRC braces for the next vaccine shipment, international health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging swift action to prevent further escalation of the crisis.
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