Kinshasa Braces for Lifesaving Mpox Vaccine Delivery as Outbreak Intensifies
On the heels of a rapidly worsening mpox outbreak, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is set to receive a crucial shipment of nearly 100,000 doses of mpox vaccines this Thursday (Today). The first batch of this vital medical aid, coordinated by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), is poised to arrive at Kinshasa’s international airport at 1100 GMT, offering a glimmer of hope in the face of a mounting health crisis.
Jean Kaseya, the head of the Africa CDC, expressed optimism about the vaccine delivery, stating, “We are very pleased with the arrival of this first batch of vaccines in the DRC.” The shipment, containing more than 99,000 doses, marks a significant step in the country’s battle against the outbreak, which has seen over 17,500 cases and 629 deaths reported since the beginning of the year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The vaccines, produced by Danish drugmaker Bavarian Nordic, will be transported from Copenhagen aboard a specialized aircraft. This delivery comes in response to the DRC’s urgent need for medical intervention as the country grapples with the most severe outbreak of mpox—a disease that has already spread across 13 African nations and has made its way to countries outside the continent, including Sweden, Pakistan, and the Philippines.
The Congolese National Institute of Public Health, responsible for managing the country’s mpox response, is awaiting detailed documentation about the vaccine shipment. “Kinshasa is still waiting for documents from the Africa CDC that will provide information on these doses,” said Dieudonne Mwamba Kazadi, the institute’s director. The institute, alongside health officials, is bracing for a coordinated vaccination campaign to curb the virus’s spread.
Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba has mobilized national efforts to combat the outbreak, urging, “We are in a health war against mpox. To face this disease, we need you.” His call to action underscores the gravity of the situation as health workers prepare to deploy the vaccines to affected regions.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, was first identified in humans in 1970 in what is now the DRC. Originally discovered in monkeys in Denmark in 1958, the virus is transmitted to humans through infected animals and can also spread from person to person through close physical contact. The disease is characterized by symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, and distinctive skin lesions.
The WHO declared an international emergency on August 14 due to the alarming increase in cases, particularly the new Clade 1b strain of the virus that has emerged in the DRC and spread to neighboring countries. In response, global support has rallied, with Spain pledging 500,000 doses, and France and Germany each committing 100,000 doses. The United States has also contributed by providing 10,000 doses to Nigeria.
In addition to the impending shipment to the DRC, the WHO has announced that around 230,000 MVA-BN vaccine doses are ready for dispatch to affected regions. This substantial effort highlights the international community’s commitment to combating the mpox outbreak and mitigating its impact on vulnerable populations.
As the vaccines prepare to land in Kinshasa, the DRC and its international partners remain on high alert, working diligently to curb the outbreak and prevent further loss of life. The arrival of these vaccines represents a critical juncture in the fight against mpox, offering hope to a nation at the epicenter of this health crisis.
