New Delhi: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) launched its mpox vaccination campaign Saturday, with support from UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa CDC, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The campaign targets vulnerable groups in high-priority provinces, with a focus on children and pregnant women, a UNICEF press release stated.
Vaccination started in North Kivu province on Saturday and will continue in South Kivu, Tshopo, Equateur, and other provinces in the coming days. Over 2,60,000 doses of the MVA-BN mpox vaccine have been donated by the European Union, the Government of the United States, and Gavi with support from Africa CDC.
In just this year, The DRC has recorded over 30,000 suspected cases of mpox and more than 900 deaths affecting Children under 15 are particularly disproportionately. Around 60 percent of suspected cases and 80 percent of deaths.
However, the MVA-BN mpox doses will vaccinate adults in DRC. Two shots with a gap of a month between them is prescribed. Owing to a limited number of doses, those vulnerable will be prioritised. Frontline health workers, those who have been in contact with people who have contracted mpox, and others with compromised immune systems, will be eligible first.
“The start of the vaccination campaign is a very welcome development and means we are one step closer to bringing this outbreak to an end,” said UNICEF DRC Representative Grant Leaity. “But I must stress that vaccines are just one tool at our disposal. Equally important for reducing the spread of the disease is providing people with the correct information on symptoms and what to do if they fall ill, and taking measures in health structures and schools for infection prevention and control.”
For children, the DRC is expecting a delivery of 3 million doses of the LC-16 vaccine, which has the potential to protect children against mpox.
UNICEF is supporting the government’s mpox preparation and response plan. Recently, UNICEF launched an appeal for US$35 million in funding to support its comprehensive response to the mpox outbreak.