DRC and African Nations Set to Begin Mpox Vaccination Rollout

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other African nations are poised to begin vaccinating against mpox. Africa CDC is coordinating efforts to ensure proper logistics and storage for incoming vaccine doses promised by the EU, Bavarian Nordic, the USA, and Japan. Efforts include continuing studies on vaccine efficacy.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other African countries could commence mpox vaccinations within days, according to Africa's top public health agency.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is collaborating with countries experiencing mpox outbreaks on logistics and communication strategies to facilitate the vaccination rollout. Vaccine supplies are anticipated from the EU, Bavarian Nordic, the United States, and Japan.

Last week, the World Health Organization declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years due to a rapidly spreading new variant in Africa. Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya stated that vaccines would start arriving in the DRC and other nations by the end of the next week.

(With inputs from agencies.)