WHO Chief Announces Imminent Arrival of Mpox Vaccines in Congo

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Friday that mpox vaccines will soon arrive in the Democratic Republic of Congo to combat a new virus strain. An initial batch of 230,000 doses is ready for dispatch, with emergency licenses for two vaccines expected within two weeks.

The World Health Organization announced on Friday that mpox vaccines are poised to arrive in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the coming days to tackle a newly detected strain of the virus.

"We anticipate the first delivery within the next few days, with subsequent batches to follow," stated Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a press briefing. Tim Nguyen, unit head of Global Infectious Hazards Preparedness at the WHO, mentioned that 230,000 mpox doses are prepared for immediate dispatch. To speed up vaccinations in Africa, the WHO has allowed its partners to purchase mpox vaccines before they receive formal approval from the U.N. health agency.

The WHO is currently evaluating emergency license applications for two vaccines produced by Denmark's Bavarian Nordic and Japan's KM Biologics. Tedros indicated these approvals are expected in the next two weeks. Rosamund Lewis, the WHO's technical lead for mpox, expressed optimism that the forthcoming vaccines and other health interventions would help reduce the number of cases soon.

(With inputs from agencies.)