Africa CDC and UNICEF Deliver First Shipment of Mpox Vaccines to DRC to Combat Rising Epidemic
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have announced the arrival of the first shipment of 99,100 doses of the JYNNEOS Mpox vaccine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This delivery marks a pivotal moment in the country’s fight against the escalating Mpox outbreak, with over 4,901 confirmed cases and 629 deaths reported in 2024 alone.
The vaccines were officially received by DRC’s Minister of Health, Samuel Roger Kamba, accompanied by key partners including H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, UNICEF Representative in DRC, Grant Leaity, and Laurent Muschel, Director General of Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA).
The shipment is part of a larger campaign aimed at curbing the spread of Mpox across the country, particularly among the most vulnerable populations.
“This shipment is a crucial step in our efforts to protect health workers and vulnerable groups, while controlling the outbreak,” said H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC. “By the end of this week, we will have 200,000 doses available, thanks to the collaboration between Africa CDC, the European Union, and Bavarian Nordic.”
The Mpox epidemic has rapidly worsened in the DRC, leading to Africa CDC’s declaration of the disease as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS) on 13 August 2024. The introduction of the JYNNEOS vaccine is expected to mitigate the outbreak and prevent further fatalities.
DRC’s Minister of Health, Samuel Roger Kamba, expressed the government’s commitment to protect the nation’s most vulnerable, especially children. “Our fight against Mpox is far from over, but receiving these vaccines is a vital step towards safeguarding the health of our population,” said Minister Kamba.
Laurent Muschel, Head of HERA at the European Commission, emphasized the importance of international cooperation. “Team Europe’s rapid response to this crisis highlights our commitment to protecting vulnerable populations across Africa.”
UNICEF, which is playing a critical role in the distribution of the vaccines, also underscored the significance of this milestone. “These vaccines are essential for protecting communities and health workers at risk,” said Grant Leaity, UNICEF Representative in DRC. “We will ensure these life-saving doses reach those who need them most.”
The DRC Ministry of Health, in collaboration with UNICEF, is assessing the need to extend vaccination coverage to children and adolescents, with a priority given to health workers and key populations most at risk of contracting Mpox.
