The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and several other African nations are set to begin vaccinating against mpox within days, according to Africa CDC.
The agency has been collaborating with countries experiencing mpox outbreaks to ensure logistics and communication strategies are in place as vaccine doses arrive.
The European Union, vaccine manufacturer Bavarian Nordic, the United States, and Japan have pledged to provide these vaccines.
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Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years as a new variant rapidly spread across Africa.
Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya announced that while vaccinations haven't started yet, they are expected to commence by the end of next week, contingent on supply chain management and logistics readiness. This is crucial to ensure the safe storage and administration of the vaccines.
Kaseya emphasized that studies on the efficacy of various vaccines will continue, even as vaccinations begin, to help countries determine which vaccines are most effective in their specific contexts.
Over the past week, African countries reported over 1,400 additional mpox cases, bringing the total to nearly 19,000 in 12 affected nations since the start of 2024—a more than 100% increase from last year.
Mpox, a viral infection causing pus-filled lesions and flu-like symptoms, is typically mild but can be fatal. Multiple strains are currently spreading across Africa.
Kaseya called for global solidarity, urging international partners to avoid travel bans and instead support Africa with medical countermeasures, including increased testing and vaccine access, to prevent repeated inequities experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
