Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Africa is gearing up to launch a widespread mpox vaccination campaign within days, as the continent faces a dramatic 100% increase in cases. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) announced that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and several other African nations will soon begin administering the mpox vaccine, as reported by Reuters.
Vaccination Drive Underway
Africa CDC has been collaborating with countries battling the ongoing mpox outbreaks. “We haven’t started vaccinations yet, but we will within a few days once everything is ready. By the end of next week, vaccines should arrive in the DRC and other affected countries,” said Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya during a press briefing.
This initiative follows the World Health Organization’s declaration of mpox as a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, on August 19.
The vaccination rollout is a complex process involving logistics and communication planning with international partners, including the European Union, vaccine manufacturer Bavarian Nordic, the United States, and Japan. The urgency for vaccination comes as new variants of the mpox virus spread swiftly across Africa.
Jean Kaseya emphasized the importance of ensuring that all logistical aspects are secured before the vaccine distribution begins. “We need to ensure that the supply chain management and logistics are ready to guarantee that the vaccine is safely stored and administered to those who need it,” Kaseya said, according to Reuters.
In addition to administering the vaccine, Africa CDC will continue studies to assess the efficacy of different vaccines to determine the most suitable options for the African context.
Mpox Cases Surge
African nations reported over 1,400 new mpox cases last week alone, with a total of around 19,000 cases recorded this year across 12 African countries, according to Africa CDC data. This represents a 100% increase in cases compared to the same period last year, highlighting the urgent need for vaccination.
What is Mpox?
Mpox is a viral infection that causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions on the skin. While the flu symptoms are generally mild, the infection can be deadly. Reports indicate that more than one strain of the virus is currently spreading simultaneously across Africa.
