Congo Launches Vaccination Campaign to Combat Mpox Outbreak

Congo initiated its mpox vaccination program in Goma on October 5, 2024, following a World Health Organization emergency declaration. The campaign uses 265,000 doses supplied by the EU and US, targeting at-risk adults and health workers amid a severe outbreak that has caused over 30,000 suspected cases and 859 deaths. While additional doses are expected, access to vaccines remains a significant hurdle across Africa, underscoring the urgent need for widespread immunization efforts.

On October 5, 2024, health officials in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, commenced a vaccination campaign against mpox, a disease that has become a severe health crisis in the region. This effort was initiated nearly two months after the World Health Organization classified the outbreaks as a global emergency. The vaccination initiative, which rolled out 265,000 doses provided by the European Union and the United States, aims to mitigate the rapidly spreading disease that has disproportionately affected children under 15 years of age. However, the current vaccination strategy focuses primarily on at-risk adults and frontline healthcare workers, as acknowledged by Health Minister Roger Kamba. Despite the urgent need for vaccinations, Congo has reported over 30,000 suspected mpox cases and nearly 859 deaths this year alone, making the country responsible for more than 80% of the cases in Africa. Health officials anticipate receiving an additional three million vaccine doses approved for use in children in the near future from Japan, which could potentially expand the vaccination campaign to younger populations. Dr. Dimie Ogoina, chair of the WHO’s mpox emergency committee, indicated that the transmission dynamics have evolved, with mpox spreading through sexual contact and close interactions among vulnerable groups, including children and pregnant women. The African continent faces significant challenges regarding vaccine access, with commitments for only 5.9 million doses available from October to December 2024, according to Dr. Jean Kaseya of the Africa CDC. In Goma, the vaccination drive is seen as a beacon of hope for health workers who have been overwhelmed by the outbreak, emphasizing the critical need for widespread immunization to alleviate health burdens. As conflict and humanitarian crises persist in eastern Congo, health experts warn of an imminent risk of further outbreaks amidst the precarious conditions in displaced persons’ camps.

The recent mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo highlights a significant public health challenge in the region, exacerbated by ongoing conflict and poor health infrastructure. The disease, previously known as monkeypox, has seen a resurgence in Africa, with cases spreading uncontrollably, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women. This resurgence prompted heightened international attention and the World Health Organization’s designation of a global emergency. As Congo grapples with severe healthcare burdens, the introduction of vaccination programs marks a crucial step towards containing the outbreak and preventing further transmission of the virus.

In summary, the commencement of mpox vaccinations in Congo represents a critical response to a worsening health crisis, with the nation recording alarming rates of infection and mortality. Efforts are underway to protect at-risk populations and frontline workers, and additional vaccine supplies are being anticipated. However, the challenge of adequate vaccine distribution and access remains a pressing concern across the African continent, necessitating coordinated global health efforts to prevent future outbreaks.

Original Source: apnews.com