Mpox Vaccination to Begin in Congo Amid Health Emergency
Mpox Vaccination Plan for Congo
Mpox vaccination will commence in Congo on October 2, as authorities focus on the three provinces most affected: Equateur, South Kivu, and Sankuru. Cris Kacita Osako, the coordinator of Congo's Monkeypox Response Committee, announced this initiative, aiming to curb the alarming rise in mpox cases.
Distribution of Vaccines
- 100,000 doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine arrived in Congo.
- These vaccines are part of the 200,000 doses provided by the European Union.
- Authorities estimate a need for 3 million doses to effectively combat the outbreaks.
Current Situation in Africa
Since early 2024, Africa has seen 5,549 confirmed mpox cases and 643 deaths, with Congo accounting for 91% of these cases. Most infections have been reported in children under 15.
In response to the escalating crisis, the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and WHO have introduced a continent-wide plan. Prioritization for vaccination will be given to adults with close contact to infected individuals and sex workers. The approval for use of the vaccine for children aged 12 to 17 may follow soon, pending further assessments by the European Medicines Agency.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.