DRC launches vaccination campaign against Mpox

DRC—The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has embarked on a Mpox vaccination campaign, which will focus on two high-priority provinces: Equateur and North Kivu.

 This initiative represents a pivotal advancement in the ongoing efforts to manage the Mpox outbreak and protect vulnerable populations nationwide.

 According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the campaign aims to mitigate the virus’s impact, especially among the most at risk.

In collaboration with the DRC’s Ministry of Public Health and Prevention, the Africa CDC is joined by global partners, including the European Union (EU), the United States Government, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Gavi, and the World Food Programme (WFP).

This strategic partnership highlights the importance of a coordinated response to the health crisis and aims to enhance the efficacy of vaccination efforts.

The campaign is set to expand into additional provinces shortly, thereby ensuring broader coverage and greater impact.

A major milestone in this campaign is the arrival of 265,000 doses of the MVA-BN Mpox vaccine, donated by the European Union and coordinated by Africa CDC in collaboration with Bavarian Nordic, the U.S. Government, and Gavi.

This substantial contribution marks a significant step toward enhancing the DRC’s capacity to combat the outbreak effectively.

Commenting on the launch of the vaccination campaign, Africa CDC Director General H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya praised the DRC’s swift actions, emphasizing that this initiative reflects the strength of the country’s public health leadership.

He emphasized that prioritizing vulnerable populations, including frontline health professionals and those most at risk, showed a fundamental commitment to halting the outbreak.

Furthermore, Dr. Kaseya assured that Africa CDC remains dedicated to collaborating closely with the DRC to ensure that vaccines are delivered to those who need them most.

 He highlighted the importance of strengthening health systems to prevent future outbreaks and reiterated that securing safe and effective vaccines for children will be a primary focus of the subsequent vaccination effort.

Mpox continues to represent a serious threat, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, individuals with compromised immune systems, and those living in areas with limited healthcare access.

In response to this pressing challenge, the Continental Incident Management Support Team (IMST) has actively supported the DRC’s response efforts.

This includes providing technical expertise, coordinating vaccine deployment, and offering logistical assistance to ensure effective distribution across affected regions.

Moreover, the Africa CDC recognizes the essential role of infection prevention and control measures, community engagement, and public awareness campaigns in curbing the spread of Mpox.

 These initiatives, alongside vaccination efforts, are vital for protecting communities and minimizing the outbreak’s impact.

In its unwavering commitment to combating Mpox, Africa CDC will continue to support the DRC and the 16 other affected countries through technical assistance, capacity-building efforts, and coordination with international partners.

Ultimately, the vaccination campaign serves as a crucial tool in safeguarding public health, and Africa CDC looks forward to further collaborative initiatives to protect communities and enhance Africa’s resilience against future public health threats.

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