DRC Receives First 100,000 Mpox Vaccine Doses Amid Public Health Emergency

Sep 5, 2024, 11:38 AM

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has received its first shipment of mpox vaccines amid a worsening outbreak in Africa. The delivery includes 100,000 doses, with an additional 101,000 expected soon. This comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) and Africa CDC declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency. The DRC plans to deploy these vaccines starting October 8, contingent on receiving the full shipment. Meanwhile, Uganda has doubled its mpox cases from 5 to 10 in the last 24 hours, and Guinea has confirmed its first case, prompting an emergency meeting by its health ministry. Burundi has also reported over 300 cases, and the region faces challenges in scaling up surveillance, testing, and clinical management. The cost of vaccination remains a significant hurdle, with the price per dose at $141, and the goal to vaccinate 5 million people in the DRC alone.