GOMA, Congo (AP) — Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have launched the country’s first Mpox vaccination campaign in a bid to combat a deadly epidemic that has claimed 859 lives this year. The vaccination drive comes nearly two months after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox a global health emergency.
The initial distribution of 265,000 vaccine doses, donated by the European Union and the United States, has begun in Goma, North Kivu province, one of the hardest-hit areas. Congolese hospitals and health workers have been overwhelmed as they battle a new, possibly more infectious strain of the virus.
Congo accounts for more than 80% of Congolese Mpox cases in Africa this year, with more than 30,000 suspected cases and nearly 900 deaths. The epidemic has spread to all 26 provinces of the country, making it a national health crisis. Although most cases and deaths from mpox have occurred in children under 15, the current vaccination campaign is focused on at-risk adults and frontline health workers, as doses for children are still limited.
Targeted vaccination strategy
Congolese Health Minister Roger Kamba stressed that the vaccination program aims to prioritize vulnerable groups, including health workers and people with underlying health conditions. Additional vaccines for children are expected to arrive soon, with at least 3 million doses expected to arrive from Japan in the coming days.
Despite the urgent need, access to vaccines remains a challenge. Africa, a continent of 1.4 billion people, has only secured commitments for 5.9 million doses of MPOX vaccines, which are expected to be available by the end of this year, according to Dr. Jean Kaseya, director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION). He reiterated that Congo remains a priority due to the severity of its epidemic.
Global health concerns
Monkeypox, also known as monkeypox, has been spreading undetected for years in parts of Africa. However, the virus gained global attention after a large outbreak in 2022, which primarily affected Europe and North America. While monkeypox in these regions was largely transmitted through close contact between men who have sex with men, the spread in Africa has been broader, affecting children, pregnant women and other vulnerable populations.
“This is not just a health crisis for Congo, but a major global concern,” said Dr Dimie Ogoina, chair of WHO’s emergency committee on monkeypox. “The virus spreads through sexual transmission and close contact, and the situation in the displacement camps in eastern Congo exacerbates the risk.”
Humanitarian crises in Congo, particularly in conflict-torn eastern regions, are complicating vaccination efforts. In and around Goma, where more than 100 armed groups operate, displaced populations are at increased risk of infection due to crowded and unsanitary living conditions.
Global support and perspectives
In response to the outbreak, the United States has pledged to donate an additional million vaccine doses to African countries, with France and Japan also contributing to the cause. WHO Africa director Matshidiso Moeti welcomed the launch of the vaccination campaign in Congo as a vital step in controlling the spread of the virus and protecting communities.
Meanwhile, hospitals and treatment centers in Congo, such as Kavumu Hospital, have expressed relief at the arrival of vaccines. “If we can vaccinate more people, we might be able to prevent the spread of this disease,” said Dr. Musole Mulambamunva Robert, the hospital’s medical director.
As the vaccination campaign continues in Congo, health officials remain hopeful that the influx of international aid and vaccine doses will curb the outbreak and prevent more deaths.
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References:
- Congo finally begins mpox vaccinations in a drive to slow outbreaks – AP News – (Accessed on Oct 06, 2024)
- DRC launches first mpox vaccination drive in efforts to curb outbreak – AL Jazeera – (Accessed on Oct 06, 2024)
- Mpox vaccination begins in DRC after 859 die this year – The Guardian – (Accessed on Oct 06, 2024)
- Congo begins mpox vaccination rollout nearly two months after WHO declared global emergency – Pbs.org – (Accessed on Oct 06, 2024)
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