DAKAR, Senegal – Relief could be on the horizon for African countries battling the mpox outbreak. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) announced Tuesday that vaccinations are expected to begin within days in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other affected nations.
This news comes as a welcome development following pledges from the European Union, vaccine manufacturer Bavarian Nordic, the United States, and Japan to deliver crucial vaccine doses. Africa CDC has been working closely with countries experiencing outbreaks, finalizing logistics and communication strategies for a smooth vaccine rollout.
“We are not starting vaccinations just yet,” clarified Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya at a press briefing. “We aim to begin in a few days, once everything is absolutely in place. Vaccines are expected to reach the DRC and other countries by the end of next week.”
Kaseya emphasized the importance of meticulous preparation. “Ensuring a robust supply chain and proper logistics are paramount,” he said. “This guarantees safe storage and administration of the vaccines to those who need them the most.”
He further noted that studies on vaccine efficacy will continue concurrently with the rollout. This data will be invaluable in determining which vaccines are best suited for different African contexts.
The urgency is stark. According to an Africa CDC presentation, African states reported over 1,400 new mpox cases in just the last week. This brings the total number to nearly 19,000 cases across 12 affected countries since the start of 2024. This represents a staggering increase of over 100% compared to the same period last year. Kaseya cautioned that it’s too early to declare a turning point in the ongoing outbreaks.
While typically mild, mpox is a viral infection causing flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. In some cases, it can be fatal. Multiple strains are currently circulating in Africa.
Kaseya stressed the need for solidarity rather than discriminatory measures. “I implore our partners to move beyond travel bans targeting Africans,” he said. “This path risks repeating the unfair treatment witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“Solidarity means providing appropriate medical countermeasures,” he elaborated. Kaseya urged for increased support in expanding testing capabilities and facilitating vaccine access for African nations.
